eVTOL firm FlyNow targets 2025 e-copter test flights in Saudi, UAE

Making flying taxis affordable, efficient and scalable is the goal of an Austrian company called FlyNow, which just a few months ago was certified by the European Authority for Aviation Safety (EASA).

The company has developed a 360kg, electric Vertical Take Off & Landing (eVTOL) vehicle that is effectively an ‘e-copter’. It has enough space to fit one or two passengers, and advancements in technology allow it to fly on autopilot. It also has multiple battery and motor backups, as well as flight plans that will be submitted to relevant aviation authorities.

When in flight, it can travel 130 km/h, and up to 150 to 300 metres above the ground. The vehicles could help ease traditional on-the-ground car traffic, especially in cities such as Riyadh and Dubai, says the company’s CEO, Jürgen Greil.

FlyNow has big goals to start setting up a ‘sandbox’ testing environment for the vehicles in the UAE and Saudi Arabia in 2025. At first, the pilot flights will carry cargo payloads of up to 200kg, says Greil. But the company is hoping to get off the ground with passenger tests soon thereafter.

“Hopefully, after all the the necessary pre-work paperwork and everything is done, we can actually start this sandbox operation next year in 2025,” Greil told Gulf Business in a podcast interview.

In terms of its business model, FlyNow is setting its sights on becoming a supplier of the vehicles while it will partner with companies that will help to build out ecosystems to enable passengers to jump aboard these vehicles and use it as a new form of mobility in years to come. The model could work in such a way that users would be able to ‘book’ an e-copter via an app, and then fly to a dedicated landing zone.

The growing trend around air-taxis is a fascinating one that is taking off in this part of the world. And the GCC looks set to be a leader with several air taxi companies vying to enter the market.

You can listen to the full podcast interview with FlyNow CEO Jürgen Greil by clicking on the link below: