AutoFlight
AutoFlight is a Shanghai- and Augsburg-headquartered eVTOL aircraft manufacturer developing and certifying electric vertical takeoff and landing platforms ranging from cargo drones to five-ton passenger air taxis, serving logistics, offshore energy, emergency services, and regional aviation operators across Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersAugsburg, Germany
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What AutoFlight does
AutoFlight is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer and manufacturer founded in 2017, operating dual headquarters in Shanghai, China and Augsburg, Germany. The company designs, builds, and certifies a portfolio of lift-and-cruise eVTOL platforms ranging from approximately 400kg cargo drones (Albatross, White Shark) to two-ton aircraft (CarryAll V2000CG) and five-ton class platforms (V5000 Matrix), spanning cargo logistics, regional aviation, firefighting, offshore energy support, and passenger air taxi applications. Its core technology combines a proprietary lift-and-cruise configuration with distributed electric propulsion and battery management systems developed in partnership with CATL. AutoFlight has secured multiple aviation world-firsts, including the first ton-level eVTOL Type Certificate from CAAC, the first 2-ton Production Certificate, the first eVTOL overseas Type Certificate Validation in Indonesia, and a 250.3km single-charge flight record demonstrating longest-distance eVTOL flight using FAA-approved avionics.
The company's product portfolio covers the full operational spectrum: CarryAll (V2000CG) for unmanned cargo with 400kg payload and 200km range; Prosperity (V2000EM) as a five-seat passenger air taxi; V2000CGF as an autonomous firefighting aircraft; V5000 Matrix for heavy-lift passenger and 1,500kg cargo applications; and SUNSHIP, a zero-carbon water vertiport addressing Sea-Air integrated operations. Commercial operations are anchored by enterprise fleet customers including CITIC Offshore Helicopters (100-aircraft order for offshore crew transport), Heli-Eastern (100-aircraft order for regional aviation services), JD Logistics, CNOOC, and Heli Chuangxing Intelligent.
AutoFlight's business model combines direct hardware sales, aircraft leasing, operational services, and the recently launched AF Care+ all-in-one protection program (insurance, product support, services). Distribution is direct in China and channel-partner-led internationally, with regional partners including CITIC Financial Leasing (fleet financing), Falcon Aviation Services and Multi Level Group (UAE), AAAG (Kazakhstan), and Dassault Systemes (3DExperience digital design platform). The company has cumulatively raised $200M+ from strategic investors Team Global ($100M in 2021) and CATL (~$100M in 2024) and maintains manufacturing and R&D operations across Shanghai, Kunshan, Hefei, Wuhan, Augsburg, and California.
AutoFlight firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AutoFlight
- Legal name
- AutoFlight
- Website
- https://autoflight.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- AutoFlight is a Shanghai- and Augsburg-headquartered eVTOL aircraft manufacturer developing and certifying electric vertical takeoff and landing platforms ranging from cargo drones to five-ton passenger air taxis, serving logistics, offshore energy, emergency services, and regional aviation operators across Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AutoFlight industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) Aircraft
- NAICS
- Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft (3721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Business & General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Flight Control Computers & Autopilot Systems (IMABAFAA), Electric & Hybrid-Electric Propulsion (eVTOL/Regional) (IMABADAH), Helicopter Air Taxi / Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Services (TLAFACAC)
Keywords
Where AutoFlight is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Augsburg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices7 records
Markets served
AutoFlight business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Aircraft Hardware Sales: Direct sale of eVTOL aircraft to enterprise customers, government agencies, and logistics operators. Revenue recognized upon delivery with potential for customization packages.
- Aircraft Leasing: Operating lease arrangements for eVTOL aircraft enabling customers to access fleet without large upfront capital expenditure.
- Operational Services: Flight operations support, maintenance, and service agreements accompanying aircraft sales and leasing.
- AF Care+ Insurance Programs: Proprietary insurance and risk management products tailored for eVTOL operations, offered on a quote basis.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Aircraft pricing - Not publicly disclosed |
| Subscription | Annual | AF Care+ Insurance Programs - Quote-based |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
AutoFlight product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AutoFlight designs, manufactures, and sells electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft across a scalable platform range from 400kg-class cargo drones (CarryAll) to 5-ton-class manned aircraft (Matrix/V5000), using a proprietary lift-and-cruise configuration with distributed electric propulsion and CATL-co-developed battery systems. The company sells these aircraft to enterprise aviation operators, government agencies, and logistics integrators, complemented by operating leases, maintenance and flight operations services, and an AF Care+ subscription-based insurance and support program.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CarryAll (V2000CG): Ton-class unmanned cargo eVTOL for modern aerial logistics, featuring vertical take-off and landing with fixed-wing cruise efficiency. Maximum payload 400kg, range 200km.
- Prosperity (V2000EM)
- CarryAll-Firefighting (V2000CGF)
- Matrix (V5000)
- SUNSHIP
- White Shark
- Albatross
Products and services
- CarryAll (V2000CG) Ton-class unmanned cargo eVTOL designed for modern aerial logistics, featuring vertical take-off/landing with fixed-wing cruise efficiency, approximately 400 kg payload and 200 km range, with autonomous flight capability for last-mile and inter-city cargo missions. Intended for logistics operators, e-commerce platforms, and emergency services.
- Prosperity (V2000EM) Five-seater pure-electric passenger eVTOL air taxi with maximum take-off weight of 2,400 kg, designed for inter-city and intra-city travel with a real-time intelligent health monitoring system. Interior designed by Frank Stephenson. Targeted at air-taxi operators and regional aviation service providers.
- CarryAll-Firefighting (V2000CGF) World's first 2-ton intelligent aerial firefighting eVTOL, a CarryAll variant equipped with AI-powered visual fire-source recognition and various firefighting/emergency functional modules. Targeted at fire departments, emergency services, and government agencies.
- Matrix (V5000) World's first 5-ton class eVTOL aircraft, available in 10-seat passenger and 1,500 kg cargo variants, with 20 m wingspan and 5,700 kg maximum take-off weight. Targeted at heavy-lift regional air mobility and cargo operators.
- Zero-Carbon Water Vertiport (SUNSHIP) Zero-carbon water-based vertiport integrating eVTOL landing platforms with photovoltaic energy storage, enabling rapid deployment of Sea-Air low-altitude mobility infrastructure across rivers, lakes, and seas. Targeted at eVTOL operators, ports, and coastal municipalities.
- AF Care+ Full eVTOL Protection Program Industry-first all-in-one protection program for eVTOL operators combining aircraft hull insurance, liability coverage, product support, and operational services under a single subscription, initially backed by PICC. Targeted at eVTOL fleet operators and aviation service companies.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10,000+ successful transition flights demonstrating operational safety and reliability
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use AutoFlight
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
AutoFlight technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability7 records
Feature4 records
AutoFlight partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and major.
- Alatau Advance Air Group Ltd. (AAAG)coreKazakhstan-based partner with MOU for 50 eVTOL aircraft units, representing AutoFlight's Central Asian market entry through local distribution and certification support.
- CITIC Offshore HelicopterscoreOrder of 100 eVTOL aircraft for fleet replacement and expansion of offshore crew transport services in China.
- CITIC Financial LeasingsupportingFinancial leasing partnership enabling fleet acquisition financing for customers purchasing AutoFlight eVTOL aircraft.
- Dassault SystèmessupportingStrategic cooperation for 3DExperience platform enabling digital design, simulation, and product lifecycle management for aircraft development.
- Heli-Eastern (Eastern General Aviation)coreOrder of 100 Prosperity aircraft for regional aviation services, representing significant domestic market channel partnership.
- Hefei City GovernmentmajorStrategic partnership with Hefei municipal government for fleet supply and local manufacturing support.
- Jining Gao Xin Chang Kong Zhi HangsupportingPartnership for firefighting aircraft applications, expanding AutoFlight's emergency services market segment.
- UAE GCAA (General Civil Aviation Authority)coreRegulatory certification partnership for UAE market entry and airworthiness approval of AutoFlight eVTOL aircraft.
- Falcon Aviation ServicescoreUAE-based aviation services partner for regional operations and customer support in Middle East market.
- Multi Level GroupsupportingUAE partner for market development and customer acquisition in the Middle East region.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AutoFlight competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- EHang: China-based eVTOL manufacturer and direct competitor; similarly pursuing CAAC certification for autonomous passenger eVTOL aircraft and pursuing multi-platform strategy from cargo to passenger drones. Both operate in the same Chinese regulatory and customer ecosystem.
- Volocopter: German-based eVTOL pioneer developing multi-rotor electric air taxi (VoloCity) and heavy-lift cargo drone (VoloDrone). Direct European competitor pursuing EASA certification, with shared Augsburg/Rhine-Ruhr regional aviation cluster.
- Joby Aviation: US-based eVTOL manufacturer developing a 5-seat tiltrotor electric air taxi targeting FAA certification and commercial passenger service in 2025-2026. Most well-capitalized eVTOL peer, providing direct comparison on cert progress and commercial deployment strategy.
- Archer Aviation: US-based eVTOL manufacturer developing Midnight 5-seat tiltrotor aircraft with United Airlines as launch customer. Direct competitor in the passenger eVTOL space pursuing FAA certification and urban air taxi commercialization.
- Vertical Aerospace: UK-based eVTOL manufacturer developing the VX4 tiltrotor aircraft for urban air mobility. Targeted EASA certification with similar design philosophy (lift-and-cruise/tiltrotor) and competing for European commercial launch routes.
- Lilium: German-based eVTOL manufacturer developing 7-seat Lilium Jet with ducted-fan propulsion. Closest European peer to AutoFlight given shared Augsburg-area engineering heritage; both targeting EASA certification paths. Lilium has faced financial distress, illustrating sector risk.
Emerging players
- Wisk Aero: US-based autonomous eVTOL developer (Boeing-backed) focused on self-flying 4-seat passenger aircraft. Comparable on autonomous flight technology and urban air mobility service model, though pursuing autonomous-only (no-pilot) pathway.
- Overair: US-based eVTOL startup developing Butterfly tiltrotor aircraft targeting regional air mobility and Korean Air partnership. Direct technical peer in the lift-and-cruise eVTOL architecture space.
- Beta Technologies: US-based eVTOL and electric aviation company building ALIA CTOL and VTOL aircraft with focus on cargo and medical logistics first (similar staged strategy to AutoFlight). Comparable for cargo-led commercial pathway and proprietary battery system development.
Broad incumbents
- Eve Air Mobility: Brazil-based (Embraer-backed) eVTOL manufacturer developing Eve 4-seat lift-and-cruise aircraft for urban air mobility. Comparable as a publicly-listed eVTOL competitor leveraging incumbent aerospace OEM (Embraer) manufacturing scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AutoFlight social profiles
Digital presenceAutoFlight financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AutoFlight leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
AutoFlight funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AutoFlight M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AutoFlight
What does AutoFlight do?
AutoFlight designs, manufactures, and sells electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft across a scalable platform range from 400kg-class cargo drones (CarryAll) to 5-ton-class manned aircraft (Matrix/V5000), using a proprietary lift-and-cruise configuration with distributed electric propulsion and CATL-co-developed battery systems. The company sells these aircraft to enterprise aviation operators, government agencies, and logistics integrators, complemented by operating leases, maintenance and flight operations services, and an AF Care+ subscription-based insurance and support program.
Is AutoFlight a public or private company?
AutoFlight is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was AutoFlight founded?
AutoFlight was founded in 2017. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is AutoFlight based?
AutoFlight is headquartered in Augsburg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does AutoFlight make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Aircraft Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are aircraft Leasing, operational Services and AF Care+ Insurance Programs.
Who are AutoFlight's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are EHang, Volocopter, Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, Vertical Aerospace and Lilium. Emerging players are Wisk Aero, Overair and Beta Technologies. Eve Air Mobility is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does AutoFlight have an API?
No public API is recorded for AutoFlight.
What industry is AutoFlight in?
AutoFlight's product category is Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) Aircraft. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAAAC, Business & General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMABAFAA, Flight Control Computers & Autopilot Systems. Its NAICS code is 336411 and its SIC code is 3720.