Middle East: AutoFlight “Focuses on UAE Deployment”
While U.S eVTOL companies like Archer and Joby Aviation have been gaining plaudits for their recent business successes in the Middle East, competition from China is not far behind.
Back in early May, China-based AutoFlight, completed its maiden flight in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with its cargo aircraft, CarryAll, from the city of Al Ain, while setting a new record for its two-metric ton eVTOL in the Middle East, reports ecns.cn/business.
With approval from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the UAE, the aircraft accomplished its first flight covering a distance of 123 kilometres. It maintained an endurance of 41 minutes on a single charge, with 44 percent of battery capacity remaining upon landing. The successful journey underscores the safety and reliability of eVTOL technology in a hot desert environment.
The aircraft obtained Type Certification (TC) from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in March, making it the world’s first eVTOL aircraft weighing over one ton to be awarded such merit.

The CarryAll Taking Off From the City of Al Ain, UAE
The Middle East region, apart from China, is, perhaps, the most important market for AutoFlight. The so-called “low-altitude economy” is viewed as an unexplored market with huge domestic and international potential and the Middle East is leading the charge. Carrying cargo freight in the short term, could be viewed as more economically profitable than carrying passengers, as well as easier to achieve.
Xie Jia, Senior VP of AutoFlight, told the Global Times newspaper that Chinese companies are taking the lead in some core technical fields. He remarked, “China’s complete supply chain and operating experience in the new-energy vehicle field is accelerating the development of eVTOLs and the low-altitude economy, and the nation’s huge consumption market has provided enterprises with a positive environment of sustainable development.”
China’s ‘2024 Government Work Report’ stated that development of the low-altitude economy is one of the new growth areas. Local governments in many Chinese cities have taken measures to establish testing sites and routes for related aircraft and technologies.
Meanwhile, EHang recently held a demonstration flight with passengers via its EH216‑S aircraft in the capital city of UAE, Abu Dhabi, marking the first of its kind in the Middle East.
The autonomous craft carried a passenger, following its debut “unmanned demo flight” at the DRIFTx event on April 25th, while the EH216‑F (for high-rise firefighting) and EH216‑L (for aerial logistics) performed their debuts, showcasing a diverse range of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) use scenarios.
The three AAVs flew over the Emirates Falcons Aviation Club in Al Ali, Abu Dhabi with approval from the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Meanwhile, Mohamed Al Dhaheri, board member of Multi Level Group (MLG), EHang’s local strategic partner, enjoyed a ride on the EH216‑S.
These successful demos were watched and applauded by esteemed guests including Emirati royalty, civil aviation authorities, government officials and representatives of the media.
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(Images: AutoFlight)
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