Abu Dhabi has conducted a test flight of a passenger electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in a public demonstration, marking a significant step toward integrating urban air mobility into everyday transportation. The event highlights the emirate’s commitment to advancing intelligent transportation systems.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), with support from the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), collaborated with EHang and Multi Level Group (MLG) for this demonstration flight. The test showcased the emirate’s innovative approach to urban mobility.

The project aims to introduce autonomous passenger aircraft in Abu Dhabi, providing zero-emission aerial mobility and positioning the emirate as a hub for air, land, and sea transportation. The test flight successfully validated various technologies, including performance in hot weather, airspace coordination, route planning, and vertiport operations.

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) oversaw the flight, demonstrating the regulatory, operational, and infrastructure frameworks necessary for scaling this mode of transport. Badr Al Olama, Director-General at ADIO, emphasized the significance of the demonstration, stating, “Today’s demonstration embodies Abu Dhabi’s future-forward ambition.”

The event engaged the public and stakeholders, showcasing future mobility technology and building trust in the innovation. It aimed to generate momentum for the commercial deployment of urban air mobility solutions in the region.

EHang, which is listed on Nasdaq and specializes in autonomous aviation, has announced plans to establish regional operations in Abu Dhabi. This initiative will include a final assembly line and support facilities in partnership with MLG, backed by ADIO.

EHang’s EH216-S aircraft holds the distinction of being the world’s first certified, pilotless, two-seater eVTOL aircraft. This aircraft merges autonomy with electric propulsion to provide zero-emission aerial mobility suitable for urban environments, operating for applications such as sightseeing, short-distance travel, and tourism, while generating minimal noise and requiring no runway.

The EH216-S features eight arms with 16 propellers powered by a dual-motor system, totaling 32 independent electric motors for enhanced safety and operational redundancy during vertical take-off and landing.

Mohamed Salah, CEO of Advanced Mobility Hub, a subsidiary of MLG, remarked that this public flight demonstration represents a pivotal milestone in their strategic partnership with EHang. He noted that it reinforces their vision to lead the autonomous aerial mobility sector and establishes Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a global hub for future transportation technologies.

Through the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry cluster, Abu Dhabi is localizing production, supporting infrastructure development, and enabling regulations for future mobility solutions. ADIO continues to build partnerships and provide investment support, facilitating the establishment and expansion of global companies in the emirate.