Abu Dhabi Launches First Public Test Flight of Passenger eVTOL Aircraft

Abu Dhabi has officially inaugurated its skies by conducting the first public test flight of a passenger eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft, which is a major step in the smart mobility evolution of the emirate. The demo was a collaborative effort by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), EHang, Multi Level Group (MLG), and in collaboration with the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC).

This test involved the EH216-S, the first certified pilotless two-seater eVTOL in the world, which is developed by EHang, a company listed in the Nasdaq with the focus on autonomous aviation technology. The zero-emission aircraft will be used in short distance travel, sightseeing and tourism activities and its flight will be silent and it will not require a runway.

Conducted under the watch of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the test flight saw the aircraft assess the capability of operating in the hot climate of Abu Dhabi, as well as confirming airspace coordination, vertiport operations and route planning. The important trial is one of the components of the vision of the emirate to be at the forefront of smart, sustainable, and autonomous transportation in the air, on land, and on sea.

This flight indicates that we are determined to establish a global center of next-generation mobility, said Badr Al Olama, the Director-General of ADIO. Urban air taxis are coming to reality and Abu Dhabi is taking the initiative.

In collaboration with MLG and with the complete assistance of ADIO, EHang is expected to establish regional operations in Abu Dhabi, comprising a final assembly line, as well as service facilities. The production localization aim is to introduce a complete electric air mobility ecosystem in the region.

Mohamed Salah, the CEO of Advanced Mobility Hub, said that the demonstration was a significant step towards commercialisation and that Abu Dhabi was becoming a hub of eVTOL innovation in the Middle East and Africa.

Abu Dhabi is leading the future of urban aviation with further investment and regulatory encouragement.