Autonomous flying taxis to be fully operational across the Kingdom by 2026
Autonomous flying taxis to be fully operational across the Kingdom by 2026
Within the next two years, transportation options in NEOM, AlUla, and Makkah will extend to include driverless, flying taxis
17 January 24
Saudi To Welcome Volocopter Flying Taxis
Image source:
Instagram/volocopter_official
The 'future world' you dreamed of as a child will soon become a reality as flying cars are set to take to the skies above a number of Saudi cities, by 2026.
With every year that passes, Saudi Arabia edges closer and closer to 2030 and fulfilling the futuristic goals of Vision 2030: which includes the active diversifying income sources to ensure the continued economic prosperity the nation through attracting and employing both both local and international talent, encouraging tourism to the Kingdom and enhancing the opportunities for Saudi Arabia.
Vision 2030 serves as the guiding path for the Kingdom, towards cultivating a path towards an even more dynamic society comprising of both Saudi nationals and international residents, encouraging and supporting a prosperous and thriving economy through more diverse means, and solidifying Saudi as a forward-looking, ambitious nation.
Connecting the futuristic new, innovative neighbourhoods of Saudi's NEOM region, alongside the traditional and authentic landscapes of AlUla and Makkah, flying taxis are set to take to the skies in partnership with both German aircraft manufacturer, Volocopter exclusively for NEOM & AlUla and in collaboration with national airline, Saudia for Hajj, all within the next two years.
Hajj 
NEOM
A successful test flight of the eVTOL vehicle took place above NEOM in June of 2023, further advancing the movement towards flying taxis becoming a thing of the very near future. It is hoped that these flights would become autonomous by 2026 to allow for additional passengers and ease of movement.
Further supporting the Kingdom's Vision 2030 plan, this project will aim to use more renewable energy and will make a significant move away from a heavy reliance on fossil fuels in public transportation: the propulsion system of Volocopter aircraft, eVTOL, will rely exclusively on 100% renewable energy, harnessing both solar and wind sources to power the electric vehicle.
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