Abu Dhabi: In a groundbreaking step toward the future of urban mobility, Abu Dhabi has successfully conducted a public demonstration flight of a fully autonomous passenger electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The test flight, supported by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC) and organised by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) in partnership with EHang and Multi-Level Group (MLG), marked a significant milestone in the emirate’s drive toward intelligent transportation.

Held under the oversight of the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the flight showcased the operational readiness of the technology in real-world conditions, including hot-weather performance, airspace coordination, route planning, and vertiport operations. It also highlighted the regulatory and infrastructure frameworks required to safely integrate eVTOLs into urban settings.

This demonstration aligns with Abu Dhabi’s strategic vision to become a global hub for advanced, zero-emission mobility solutions. The eVTOL project aims to enhance aerial transportation by offering safe, sustainable, and autonomous passenger services—further cementing the emirate's leadership in smart mobility.

More than a technological display, the event reflected Abu Dhabi’s commitment to fostering innovation and artificial intelligence across sectors. Through its Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry cluster, the emirate is actively investing in localised manufacturing, regulatory advancements, and infrastructure development to support future mobility.

His Excellency Badr Al Olama, Director-General of ADIO, stated: “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.”

As cities worldwide explore the potential of autonomous air mobility, Abu Dhabi is taking a leading role by pioneering real-world deployment and fostering public-private collaboration to drive innovation and commercialisation of eVTOL technologies.