- Saudi Arabia partners with EHang to launch autonomous aerial vehicles nationwide.
- eVTOL air taxis aim to reduce urban congestion and carbon footprint.
- The MoU includes local manufacturing, assembly, and large-scale commercial flight plans.
Saudi Arabia is getting ready to elevate its advanced mobility initiatives into the air. In a significant development, two Saudi companies, Front End and Cluster 2 Airports have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese eVTOL manufacturer EHang to introduce autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs) throughout the Kingdom.
The agreement, revealed on September 23, 2025, is celebrated as a significant achievement that will transform the notion of Saudi Arabia flying cars and self-driving air taxis from fantasy into a tangible reality in the skies of Saudi Arabia. The MoU represents more than just a symbolic agreement. It defines a distinct plan for transitioning autonomous aerial vehicles from experimental flights to commercial use in Saudi Arabia.
This framework aims to transition Saudi Arabia from pilot demonstrations to large-scale flying operations. The phrase flying cars frequently evokes visions of sci-fi films. In essence, Saudi Arabia's strategy focuses on electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which are essentially small, drone-like machines designed to carry passengers across brief distances.
In contrast to conventional helicopters, these vehicles are entirely electric, lowering carbon footprints, Autonomous, able to operate without a pilot, Silent and effective, tailored for urban settings, Compact, needing minimal “vertiports” instead of extensive runways.
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Saudi Arabia views them as a remedy for urban overcrowding, tourism, and logistics, with possible implementation in major cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah, along with upcoming smart cities like NEOM. The three will collaborate as innovators to launch air taxis, airborne cargo aircraft, and unified aerial traffic systems in the area.
Though the companies haven't revealed a specific fare for each ride, industry standards indicate that the price for a first air taxi journey may vary between $200 and $400 (₹16,000–₹32,000) per passenger based on distance and demand, with costs anticipated to decrease as usage increases.
The aircraft, such as the EHang EH216, are projected to be priced between $300,000 and $450,000 (₹2.5 crore–₹3.7 crore) each, based on configuration and certification requirements. The MoU details plans for local manufacturing and assembly in Saudi Arabia, with Front End spearheading the localisation effort.