ARIDGE (formerly XPENG AEROHT), Asia’s largest flying car company, have signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. Under the oversight of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the two parties will jointly establish an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) regulatory sandbox in the UAE, “while simultaneously advancing the planning and implementation of an inter-emirate demonstration route connecting Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah,” said the organisations in a press release.
“The cooperation marks a major industry breakthrough, making ARIDGE the first Chinese flying car company to enter a national-level regulatory sandbox in the Middle East, while also establishing the world’s first flying car testing sandbox dedicated to personal low-altitude flight,” said ARIDGE.
Through the regulatory sandbox led by RAKTA (Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority), ARIDGE will conduct flight validation under desert conditions, evaluate aircraft performance across representative operational scenarios and refine procedures within controlled airspace. The programme will provide a structured environment for the company to validate its technology and operating model while working closely with relevant authorities and industry partners. The planned Abu Dhabi–Ras Al Khaimah demonstration route will serve as a real-world platform for assessing the requirements of future inter-emirate advanced air mobility services. The programme is expected to cover key operational areas, including flight planning, airspace coordination, ground support, passenger handling, aircraft turnaround and safety management.
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(Image: H.E. Eng. Esmaeel Hasan Al Blooshi and Dr. Han Juexian Signing Under Witness of His Highness Sheikh Saud and Founder Zhao Deli)