The public will be transported during the upcoming Riyadh Expo 2030 by thousands of “automatic” single- and dual-seat eCopter aircraft from FlyNow Aviation, according to plans released by Saudi Arabia Holding Co. These special electric planes will first carry freight before transporting real passengers across the kingdom.
As the epicenter of next-generation transportation, particularly air travel, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia competes with its neighbor Dubai to remain the “wild East” for emerging technology.
In order to integrate all-electric air transport networks in the Middle East, particularly in the United Arab Emirates, we have witnessed many electrical Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) firms sign historic accords. Nonetheless, Saudi Arabia is trying to establish its own services in advance of a World Expo that will take place at the end of the decade in the capital and primary financial center of the kingdom. Saudi Arabia recognizes the promise of this emerging sustainable travel technology.
What’s unique about Saudi Arabia’s latest announcement, is that it intends to establish and deploy an arsenal of “eCopters” in the region, which are smaller than many of the eVTOLs we’ve covered in the past. According to a recent announcement on LinkedIn, Saudi Arabia Holding Company has selected FlyNow out of Austria to set up shop in the region and integrate its eCopter technology.
Saudi Arabia Holding Company CEO Mohammed AlQahtani reposted details from AVFoil about the eCopter deployment on LinkedIn, relaying that FlyNow intends to open up a regional office in Saudia Arabia ahead of an eCopter production line in Riyadh “in the coming months.”
FlyNow’s eCopters are expected to transport the public during Riyadh Expo 2030. They will exist in two versions – a one-seater and two-seater aircraft capable of transporting up to 200kg (440 lbs) in the larger version.
The aircraft is currently 100% electric and can operate for up to 30 minutes or 50 km (31 miles) on a single charge. However, a hybrid version that adds hydrogen technology should also be able to travel up to 200 km (124 miles). FlyNow states that its eCopter technology is also “automatic,” meaning it flies along a fixed route, and its respective flight path follows a flight plan rather than being autonomous whereas the vessel would need to select a route on its own and make safety-critical decisions in realtime.
To begin, FlyNow intends to test its eCopter technology in the region via cargo transport before segueing into passenger rides. The Austrian aviation startup said it will work alongside local regulatory entities to ensure safe operations.
Per the LinkedIn post: “The company aims to collaborate with Middle Eastern regulatory bodies and government groups to establish necessary laws, digital infrastructure, and vertiports. Key partners include the Sky Alliance for Automated Air Mobility (SALAAM), which will support FlyNow by supplying the ecosystem required to realize these ambitions. Skyroads, known for building ‘roads in the sky,’ will help unify traffic management systems in Saudi Arabia, ensuring safety and scalability.”