Saudi Arabia’s NEOM hosted the first test campaign of air taxi flights in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, building on a reputation of a leader in technologies in the under-development futuristic zone.
The flight test campaign lasted over a week and built on 18 months of collaboration between NEOM, the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Volocopter, with the aim of implementing and scaling an electric urban air mobility ecosystem and test bed in NEOM, said a statement issued on Wednesday.
NEOM, an ambitious megacity project, is taking shape on the shores of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, built with the promise of cutting-edge technology, sustainable practices, and unparalleled innovation.
NEOM’s foundation rests on a vision that transcends traditional urban planning. Developed with the intent of becoming a global hub for innovation, NEOM aims to attract leading tech companies, researchers, and entrepreneurs from around the world. By fostering collaboration and creating a thriving ecosystem, NEOM hopes to accelerate technological advancements and drive sustainable development in the region.
In NEOM, planners see technology as not just a tool, but as an essential component embedded in every aspect of daily life.
Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM, said: “The successful test flight of a Volocopter eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) is a tangible example of NEOM as a global accelerator and incubator of solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. Driving the development of smart, sustainable, and safe mobility systems will improve livability and connectivity in cities around the world and reduce carbon emissions, creating a cleaner future for all.”
