What will be the new mode of transportation in the future? Could eVTOLs replace cars? Well, it looks like it. An eVTOL, an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, could fly above NEOM, the smart and sustainable regional development in northwest Saudi Arabia, by 2030.

With the successful completion of a series of air taxi test flights in NEOM, the dream of using new technologies to rise above urban road congestion has gained significant momentum. 

The flight test campaign lasted over a week and was built on 18 months of collaboration between NEOM, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), and Volocopter. NEOM has invested $191 million in a joint venture with Volocopter to implement and scale an electric UAM ecosystem and testbed in the city.

Abdulaziz A. Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia, called it a steady step towards achieving the aviation sector’s strategy. “It confirms GACA’s commitment to enabling the safe integration of innovative air transport patterns that improve the mobility experience of individuals in urban areas and the quality of life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”  

Volocopter eVTOLs will be powered by 100% renewable energy and can be used in a variety of roles, like as air taxis and emergency response vehicles. The test campaign focused on the flight performance of the Volocopter aircraft in local climate and environmental conditions. It tested its integration into the local unmanned aircraft traffic management (UTM) system.

Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM, said that the successful test flight of a Volocopter eVTOL was a milestone towards creating NEOM’s innovative, sustainable, multimodal transportation system. 

“Driving the development of smart, sustainable, and safe mobility systems will improve livability and connectivity in cities worldwide and reduce carbon emissions, creating a cleaner future for all.”