Odys Aviation, a company building hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, has announced the signing of a landmark agreement with the Oman Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) to establish the Oman Proof of Concept Program, a fully integrated Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem demonstration.
“The programme will showcase Odys’ full-scale Laila aircraft, designed for VTOL operations with hybrid-electric propulsion, extended range, high payload capacity and advanced autonomous capabilities,” said the company in a press release. “The operational launch is scheduled for Q1 2026.”
The programme will bring together Odys Aviation, Oman’s regulators, tier-one AAM companies and a select group of strategic partners and end users to validate the deployment of long-range, hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft in live operational environments, continued the press statement. “By leveraging Oman’s progressive regulatory framework and commitment to innovation under the JARUS/SORA framework, the programme will serve as one of the world’s most comprehensive blueprints for the rollout of AAM infrastructure, policy and operations.
“In collaboration with the CAA, the programme will provide the opportunity to trial Specific Category operating regulations, including the ICAO-derived Specific Operational Risk Assessment prototype regulation, at multiple Specific Assurance and Integrity Levels, to enable the continued safe advancement of Civil Aviation Regulations.”
Eng. Naif bin Ali Al-Abri, President of the Oman Civil Aviation Authority, said: “This partnership represents a pivotal strategic step in the trajectory of Oman’s civil aviation sector. It comes within the framework of the national agenda to promote innovation and embrace the latest advanced aviation technologies, in alignment with the goals of Oman Vision 2040. It also underscores the Authority’s unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of safety and quality, while fostering a flexible and enabling regulatory environment that keeps pace with global developments in this field. Through this pioneering program, the Sultanate is not only preparing its infrastructure and economy for the future of air mobility, but is also contributing to setting international standards and shaping the future of advanced aviation at both regional and global levels.”
Unlike prior and planned technology trials in many other markets, the Oman Program will validate end-to-end AAM operations with cross-sector customers across multiple high-value use cases including oil and gas pipeline inspections, civil defence applications including emergency response and search and rescue, emergency medical logistics, national defence and infrastructure and logistics including long-range inspection, cargo movements and just-in-time supply chain support, said the statement.
The programme will provide partners with measurable milestones, including successful VTOL takeoffs and landings, completed flights of varying ranges, commercially viable payload delivery to remote and offshore locations, integration with existing helicopter operations and development of vertiport and supporting infrastructure such as charging. Upon completion of the initial programme, Odys expects to announce further Program expansions including additional partners, longer range and increased payload missions.
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https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250914095157/en/Odys-Aviation-and-the-Sultanate-of-Oman-Sign-Landmark-Agreement-to-Launch-one-of-the-Worlds-Most-Comprehensive-AAM-Ecosystem-Programs