Watch: Abu Dhabi conducts passenger-carrying drone trials

The Middle East region's first passenger-carrying drone trials have been carried out in Abu Dhabi.

The test flights were conducted during the Abu Dhabi Mobility Week that concluded earlier this month.

The first trial featured a five-seater drone capable of travelling for more than 250 km with a payload of up to 350 kg, while the second trial involved a small-sized drone, which can carry two passengers for up to 35 km.

These trials were carried out in coordination between Abu Dhabi Mobility and Multi Level Group (MLG), a provider of advanced automation and digital transformation solutions.

The five-seater drone embarked on a flight duration of 40 minutes, covering an area spanning 123 km, which is the longest recorded drone flight.

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Mohamed Hamad Al Dhaheri, a Board Member of MLG, made history by boarding the demo flight of the fully autonomous intra-city electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, marking a significant milestone as the first of its kind in the Middle East.

"Being part of this historic moment is truly exhilarating. The seamless integration of technology and aviation represents a significant leap forward for our nation, and as an Emirati I am proud to be a part of it," said Al Dhahiri.

Abu Dhabi continues to consolidate its position as a hub for transportation solutions and smart vehicles. This is underpinned by the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industries (SAVI) cluster at Masdar City, which contributes to advancing progress and innovation in this field.

.@ad_mobility, in association with @MultiLevelGroup, has conducted the Middle East’s first passenger-carrying drone trials in #AbuDhabi. The trials took place as part of Abu Dhabi Mobility Week, and further affirmed the emirate as a hub for smart and autonomous vehicle innovation pic.twitter.com/tUVLzdbfZn

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) May 8, 2024