Abu Dhabi is preparing to transform coastal travel with a next-generation electric transport system. The emirate has announced plans to launch Seaglider operations by 2028, following a new agreement signed between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), and VERSA Advanced Maritime Services.
The partnership aims to support the deployment of fully electric Seagliders in the emirate, marking a significant step toward advanced, lower-impact coastal mobility in the UAE.
What Are Seagliders?
Seagliders are Wing-in-Ground (WIG) effect craft — fully electric, zero-emission vessels designed to travel just above the sea's surface. By skimming a few metres above the water, they combine the low operating costs of a boat with the high speed of an aircraft, significantly cutting travel times while eliminating emissions.
VERSA, the UAE's first Seaglider operator, has been developing the project since 2022, with passenger services now targeted to begin in 2028.
Planned Routes Across Abu Dhabi and Beyond
Early Seaglider routes will focus on connecting Abu Dhabi City with the Al Dhafra Region, with potential expansion across the wider emirate and the UAE at a later stage.
The initiative is expected to support economic growth, tourism, and infrastructure development, while contributing to the establishment of regulatory frameworks for next-generation marine transport.
VERSA has stated that the system could reduce travel time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to just 30 minutes, with fares starting from AED 165 per journey — approximately half the cost of a taxi.
Speed, Capacity and Sustainability
The Seaglider passenger service is expected to use models featuring:
- A 20-metre wingspan - Speeds of up to 290 km/h - Seating for 12 passengers
The vessels are designed to be 100 per cent emission-free, supporting the UAE's net-zero emissions target by 2050. The project also aligns with population travel patterns: estimates indicate that 85 per cent of the UAE's population lives along the coast, while 63 per cent of residents travel between coastal destinations at least once a month.
Abu Dhabi Officials on Sustainable Mobility
Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said the initiative reflects the emirate's broader sustainability and innovation goals.
He noted that embracing environmentally friendly mobility solutions such as Seagliders enhances connectivity while reinforcing Abu Dhabi's commitment to sustainable growth, smart city development, and improved quality of life for residents and visitors.
VERSA: From Concept to Infrastructure
Sheikha Alyazia Bint Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairperson and Owner of VERSA Advanced Maritime Services, said the project represents a fundamental shift in how coastal mobility is envisioned in the UAE.
She explained that becoming the country's first Seaglider operator carries both responsibility and opportunity, adding that the partnership enables innovation to move beyond concept and into practical, purpose-built infrastructure designed for clean, fast, and sustainable transport.
