TransFuture Aviation presented its bold vision for the future of urban air mobility at the Dubai Airshow 2025. Led by CEO Bai Zhiliang, one of China’s early eVTOL pioneers, the company showcased its Honghu fully tilt-rotor eVTOL and outlined a global roadmap that positions it strongly within the emerging low-altitude economy.

Founded with a mission to redefine personal and regional air travel, TransFuture Aviation has built a strong reputation in the fully tilt-rotor eVTOL space. Under Bai’s leadership, the company brings together experienced aviation experts from leading institutions and organisations. During the presentation, Bai noted that “the eVTOL era is not just approaching, it is being built today. More than mere witnesses, we are its architects.”

Supporting him is Zhang Wei, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist, who also directs the MIIT Key Laboratory and oversees the company’s R&D operations. The wider team includes specialists with backgrounds in major aviation research centres, including the National Key Laboratory of Aircraft Configuration Design, AVIC, and Honeywell. Together, their combined experience strengthens the company’s capabilities in flight control, propulsion systems, safety technologies, and airworthiness.

The presentation also highlighted aviation’s evolution, from the Wright Flyer of 1903 to modern electric vertical takeoff technologies. TransFuture drew comparisons with milestones such as the Cornu helicopter, the Douglas DC-3, and the V-22 Osprey. Bai shared that “each chapter in aviation history, CTOL, jet, helicopter, and now eVTOL, represents humanity’s pursuit of efficiency, safety, and freedom in the air.”

After years of testing multiple configurations, TransFuture concluded that the fully tilt-rotor model offered the best balance of efficiency, safety, and performance. Their research into Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), which began in 2017, helped enhance redundancy, reduce mechanical complexity, and improve safety. According to Bai, DEP “fundamentally redefines aircraft architecture, enabling safer vertical flight and smoother transition to cruise, while offering unprecedented control authority.”

The company also uses advanced aerodynamic tools, including Lattice Boltzmann simulations, along with biomimicry inspired by bird flight to improve efficiency and stability. This research led to the creation of the Honghu eVTOL, which completed its maiden full-scale flight in December 2024 in Changsha. It became the world’s second fully tilt-rotor eVTOL engineering prototype and the first of its kind in China.

A major milestone followed in September 2025, when the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) officially accepted the Type Certification application for the Honghu eVTOL. This achievement sets a new benchmark for China’s eVTOL sector and strengthens the company’s regulatory foundation for future development.

Since 2023, TransFuture Aviation has completed four rounds of financing, raising several hundred million RMB. This support reflects strong investor confidence in the company’s DEP systems, intelligent flight control algorithms, and overall technological progress.

TransFuture also highlighted Dubai as a key region for early eVTOL adoption due to its supportive regulatory landscape and focus on innovation. The company shared mobility scenarios showing how eVTOLs can significantly reduce travel time in the region. For example, trips like Ajman to Dubai could reduce from 35 minutes by road to just 10 minutes by eVTOL.

The company also presented a case study on aerial tourism over Palm Jumeirah, where current helicopter services earn about AED 200 million annually. With eVTOL integration, TransFuture projects passenger numbers could rise to more than one million a year, potentially generating AED 2 billion. This growth could support local tourism, job creation, and new mobility infrastructure.

Bai described Dubai’s potential future as “a showcase of safe, serene, and swift aerial mobility,” offering both convenience and sustainability for residents and visitors.

TransFuture ended the presentation with an invitation for international collaboration, emphasising that the eVTOL revolution requires shared effort. Bai shared that “the eVTOL revolution is a global endeavor,” highlighting the company’s goal to help shape the next decade of advanced air mobility.

During the Airshow, Bai also met Joby Aviation Founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt, who appreciated TransFuture’s achievements in fully tilt-rotor technology. Bai also held a technical discussion with MIT’s Professor Jordan Karatzas, touching on the strengths of tilt-rotor and STOL architectures, further reinforcing the value of global cooperation in next-generation aviation research.

TransFuture aims to play a major role in the growing low-altitude economy, contributing to areas such as passenger transport, logistics, and emergency services. With its strong technical foundation, global partnerships, and sustainable approach, the company continues to push forward the future of air mobility.