Aridge’s Flying Car Takes Off in Dubai with 600 GCC Orders
Ashwini Gambo
Flying Cars Are Coming to the Gulf And Sooner Than You Think
In a major leap toward the future of mobility, Aridge the newly rebranded flying car division of China’s XPeng Aeroht successfully completed its first manned flight in Dubai, marking a historic moment in the Middle East's journey into urban air mobility (UAM).
The event also saw the announcement of 600 flying car orders from major GCC companies, including Ali & Sons Group (UAE), Almana Group (Qatar), AlSayer Group (Kuwait), and the Chinese Business Council in the UAE. This is the largest bulk purchase of flying cars outside China, pushing Aridge’s total global preorders past 7,000 units.
The centerpiece of this innovation is the “Land Aircraft Carrier”, a modular flying car system. Imagine an electric truck that carries a two-seater eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft in its trunk detachable and ready to fly. Users can switch seamlessly between road and air, supported by smart displays, autonomous flight features, and a one-handed joystick for manual control.
Mass production is set to begin in 2026 at Aridge’s smart factory in Guangzhou, China, which can produce 10,000 units annually. The vehicles are expected to launch for consumer use in the Middle East by 2027, with each unit priced under RMB 2 million (~AED 1.03 million).
Regulatory approvals are underway in collaboration with UAE's GCAA and DCAA, and the company is expanding its certification efforts across other GCC countries. The UAE is already preparing for commercial flying taxis, with Archer and Joby Aviation expected to begin operations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai by 2026.
Looking ahead, Aridge is also developing the A868, a high-speed, long-range, six-seat flying car capable of reaching 360 km/h and flying over 500 km, designed for both personal and public service use.
“Our goal is to make flying accessible to everyone, not just a select few,” said Michael Chao Du, CFO and Vice President of Aridge. The sky is no longer the limit it's the next destination.
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