Shanghai Vertaxi Aerospace Technology Co Ltd signed two letters of intent for 200 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft on November 6 at the 8th China International Import Expo.

BOC Leasing signed an intent to purchase 100 M1 passenger eVTOLs, while Aerial Solutions committed to 100 M1B cargo version aircraft.

At its exhibition booth, Vertaxi showcased the newly upgraded M1 passenger model—an "air taxi"—and innovatively recreated a functional "low-altitude travel takeoff and landing point" onsite. The setup offered visitors an immersive experience of an urban air mobility (UAM) operational scenario, allowing them to simulate the entire process of hailing a flight: scanning a code to book, waiting in a lounge, and boarding. The exhibit quickly became one of the most popular attractions at the expo.

Through the simulated flight booking interface, visitors could select routes from the National Exhibition and Convention Center to destinations including Lujiazui, Pudong International Airport, Suzhou's Jinji Lake, Wuxi's Yuantouzhu (Turtle Head Isle), Hangzhou's West Lake, and Yiwu in Zhejiang. Travel times were projected as just 10 minutes to downtown, around half an hour to Wuxi, and under an hour to Hangzhou. According to Vertaxi's preliminary estimates, with the scaling of low-altitude travel, a trip from the convention center to Yangcheng Lake or Jinji Lake would take only 15 minutes at a fare of just 109 yuan (US$15.31).

Liu Shiyi, chairman of Vertaxi, said that the cabin space utilization of the new M1 passenger model has been increased by about 27 percent. The spacious cabin accommodates five passengers, matching the capacity of a mid-to-large SUV, and includes three storage areas—front, middle, and rear—with a large rear luggage compartment that can hold at least five 20-inch suitcases. The M1 is also equipped with an intelligent sensing system that continuously monitors the surrounding environment in real time, enabling autonomous obstacle avoidance and collision prevention.

Shanghai Vertaxi Aerospace Technology Co Ltd is an innovative urban air mobility company committed to developing safe, cost-effective, green, and intelligent eVTOLs. With the vision of "making air travel accessible to all," the company aims to provide solutions for future three-dimensional urban transportation.