Aridge eyes UAE commercial flying-car operations within 18 months

Michael Du says small-scale operations could become feasible within 12-18 months as the company works with UAE authorities and considers local product development and manufacturing partnerships.

Aridge hopes commercial flying-car operations could become feasible in the UAE within 12-18 months, initially on a small scale, as the company works with local authorities and businesses to develop the regulations and infrastructure needed, a senior executive said.

Michael Du, CFO of the Chinese company, told Arabian Business that commercialisation would require a supporting system of regulators, infrastructure and operators alongside the aircraft themselves.

“We hope this will be feasible in the next 12 to 18 months,” Du said, describing work under way through a regulatory sandbox and cooperation across the UAE.

His outlook is conditional on that work progressing. He expects operations to begin on a small scale and expand gradually, with a clearer picture of potential demand over three to five years.

The interview took place at the Dubai Business Forum – China in Shenzhen on October 14, where businesses discussed opportunities to bring technology, investment and production to Dubai.

RAK prepares advanced air mobility tests

Aridge, formerly known as XPENG Aeroht, signed an agreement with Ras Al Khaimah authorities in September to develop, test and deploy advanced air mobility solutions.

Under the agreement, it will become the founding partner of the emirate’s advanced air mobility sandbox, bringing aircraft and a specialised team to Ras Al Khaimah. The testing programme will examine airspace requirements and operational procedures, with future applications subject to UAE regulatory approvals and operational readiness.

The company has also announced plans to work on an inter-emirate demonstration route connecting Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah. The planned route would help assess requirements including flight planning, ground support and passenger handling.

Du said the UAE’s combination of major cities, economic activity and openness to technology made it an attractive market. Distances between Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah offered potential applications for advanced air mobility, he added.

He also identified tourism as an opportunity, including sightseeing flights and journeys that could reduce travel times around Dubai. Over three to five years, he envisages aircraft numbers reaching the hundreds, although he did not give a delivery schedule or firm fleet target.

“I think it might be difficult to predict 18 months,” he said when asked about the scale of deployment. A three-to-five-year horizon would be “more accurate or more sensible”, he added.

Aridge eyes UAE manufacturing opportunities

The company’s longer-term ambitions extend to developing products and potentially localising manufacturing in the UAE. Du said Aridge was looking for partners across capital, technology and operations, including businesses that could help it adapt products for local conditions and requirements.

“We want to grow together with the local ecosystem,” he said.

That would involve working with government, infrastructure providers and local operators as the market develops. He described possible manufacturing localisation as part of a longer-term approach, rather than announcing a factory or production commitment.

Dubai’s international business community and aviation connections were important to those plans, Du said. The city offered access to potential partners and a base from which to reach other Middle Eastern markets.

He identified both journeys within Dubai and travel between cities as potential uses, while stressing that a wider supporting system would need to develop gradually.

The sandbox is intended to help establish that foundation. Ras Al Khaimah’s transport authority has said phased testing and demonstrations will support a transition towards operational trials, with potential applications spanning transport, tourism, logistics and emergency response.