Abu Dhabi’s new electric vertical take off and landing aircraft - Video

Abu Dhabi, 13 June 2025: With the support of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), in collaboration with EHang and Multi-Level Group (MLG), has hosted a landmark test flight of a passenger electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft as part of a public demonstration in the emirate. The test flight has showcased Abu Dhabi’s commitment to shaping the future of urban mobility, highlighting its leadership in intelligent transportation systems and autonomous vehicles.

The project to bring fully autonomous passenger aircraft to Abu Dhabi, providing safe, zero-emission aerial mobility, contributes to further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global destination for air, land, and sea transportation.

More than a technical milestone, the test flight represents a pivotal step towards integrating urban air mobility into everyday life, in line with the emirate’s vision of further enhancing innovation and artificial intelligence. The autonomous mission validated critical technologies, including hot-weather performance in Abu Dhabi’s climate, alongside airspace coordination, route planning and vertiport operations. Conducted under the oversight of the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the flight provided live proof of the regulatory, operational and infrastructure frameworks essential for safely scaling this new mode of transport.

As cities globally explore the potential of eVTOLs, Abu Dhabi is setting a precedent – by not only testing the technology in real urban conditions but also fostering a collaborative ecosystem where government and industry align to accelerate innovation and enable the commercialisation of such modes of mobility. Through the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry cluster, Abu Dhabi is localising production, supporting infrastructure development and enabling future-ready regulation.

His Excellency Badr Al Olama, Director-General at ADIO, said: “Today’s demonstration embodies Abu Dhabi’s future-forward ambition. Through the vision of the SASC, we’re turning future mobility into tangible nation-building. With EHang and MLG, we are proving that urban air taxis will be a part of everyday life here in Abu Dhabi and around the world. This is how we diversify our economy, cultivate homegrown capabilities and make the emirate a global leader in next-generation transport.”