AutoFlight selected for Hong Kong’s inaugural “Regulatory Sandbox X” flight trials

  • “Regulatory Sandbox X” is Hong Kong’s flagship low-altitude economy initiative, led by the Transport and Logistics Bureau
  • Two of the four projects will use AutoFlight’s heavy-lift eVTOL for demonstration flights
  • AutoFlight will work with local partners to develop low-altitude routes and operations across the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area

Kunshan,22 June 2026 :

AutoFlight, electric vertical take‑off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has been selected for the inaugural round of Hong Kong’s “Regulatory Sandbox X” – a flagship initiative to advance the city’s low-altitude economy and explore innovative applications.

Launched by the Transport and Logistics Bureau and supported by Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department, “Regulatory Sandbox X” takes an open, forward-looking approach to compliant test flights, scenario validation, and iterative technology upgrades for innovative unmanned aircraft. The aim is to pave the way for low‑carbon, high‑efficiency air mobility.

Two of the four approved projects will be carried out using AutoFlight’s heavy-lift eVTOL, underscoring the company’s R&D strength, extensive flight‑test experience, and commercial readiness.

AutoFlight will work with partners including China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Automobile Services Limited and AECOM Limited on route planning, flight-parameter calibration, and end-to-end flight validation. Together, these efforts will steadily widen the scope of low-altitude commercial applications across the region.

Xie Jia, senior vice president of AutoFlight, noted that AutoFlight will use this opportunity to deepen its investment in core eVTOL technology and commercial deployment, supporting Hong Kong’s emerging low-altitude transport network. Working closely with the Civil Aviation Department and industry partners, the company aims to help scale up the Greater Bay Area’s low-altitude economy safely and at commercial scale.

( The banner image is of February 2024 when AutoFlight’s 2 ton eVTOL completed a landmark cross-sea flight between Shenzhen and Zhuhai.)

FOREWORD

Dear Readers,

 

Welcome to the latest edition of Aviation World. This is an incredibly significant issue for us, perfectly timed to align with several prominent aviation events unfolding across the globe.

 

Chief among them is the Farnborough International Airshow, taking place from July 20th to 24th, 2026, in Hampshire, United Kingdom. Ranked as one of the world’s premier events for aviation, aerospace, and defense, this year’s airshow arrives at a crucial moment. Against a backdrop of geopolitical turbulence, Farnborough provides an invaluable platform to engage with global leaders and gain firsthand perspectives on the future of the industry. Inside, you will find our comprehensive curtain-raiser report focusing on the show’s core themes, as well as the highly anticipated static and aerobatic aircraft displays.

 

On our front cover, we are proud to feature Capt. Vaibhav Goutham Suresh, Director of the School of Aviation, Logistics and Tourism Management (SALTM) at Galgotias University. In an exclusive interview, Capt. Suresh highlights how SALTM bridges the gap between academia and the runway, delivering a comprehensive curriculum that ensures graduates are industry-ready from day one. Complementing this, our special feature on SALTM dives deeper into how the institution maintains world-class academic standards and a cutting-edge learning environment.

 

We are also privileged to bring you exclusive insights from a stellar lineup of industry trailblazers in this edition, including:

  • Robin Glover-Faure, Chief Customer Officer of Acron Aviation
  • Karim Makhlouf, CCO of Royal Jordanian Airlines
  • Pallavi Joshi & Vimal Priya, the leadership powerhouse behind AirFleet Managers &Aviatrics Global
  • Wg. Cdr. Prem Kumar Garg (Retd.), CEO of IndiaOne Air

Each shares a detailed perspective on driving innovation, navigating current market dynamics, and establishing progressive frontiers within their respective sectors.

 

Beyond these highlights, this issue is packed with curated features and analytical pieces designed to keep you informed and inspired.

 

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Happy Reading!

 

The Editorial Team

 

Aviation World

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