- Key Highlights
- The Aridge Story: From XPeng to a Global Flying Car Pioneer
- Reactions Across the GCC: The 600-Unit Order
- Land Aircraft Carrier – A Car That Soars
- Core Features
- Inside the Factory: The World’s First Smart Flying Car Plant
- The A868 – Next-Gen Luxury in the Skies
- Highlights:
- “A Morning in 2030, Over the Gulf Skies”
- The Middle East: Emerging Global Hub for eVTOL Mobility
- Why Aridge Matters
- Looking Ahead: “From Dreams to Skies by 2027”
In a breakthrough moment for the future of transportation, Chinese flying car manufacturer Aridge – formerly known as XPeng Aeroht – has successfully completed its first manned flight test in Dubai, capturing international attention. The event didn’t just prove that flying cars are here; it signaled the dawn of the Gulf’s next major innovation wave. With 600 confirmed aircraft orders from prominent GCC companies, Aridge’s entry into the region cements the Middle East as a core hub for aerial mobility, where futuristic transport meets real-world vision.
Key Highlights
Historic Flight Location: Dubai, UAE (October 12, 2025)
Manufacturing Base: Guangzhou, China
Orders Secured: 600 units (largest overseas order to date)
Expected Launch: Middle East consumer availability by 2027
Base Price (China): Under RMB 2 million (≈ AED 1.03 million)
Production Start: 2026 (10,000 units annually)
The Aridge Story: From XPeng to a Global Flying Car Pioneer
Aridge’s evolution from XPeng Aeroht signifies more than a name change—it’s a declaration of intent. The rebranding, officially revealed in Dubai, combines the words “Air” and “Bridge,” representing the company’s ambition to connect people through low-altitude aviation. The company’s CFO and VP, Michael Chao Du, described the Middle East as an “ideal launchpad for innovation,” noting that regional partnerships embody both trust and ambition.
Reactions Across the GCC: The 600-Unit Order
The confirmed order comes from some of the region’s largest business groups:
Ali & Sons Group (UAE)
Almana Group (Qatar)
AlSayer Group (Kuwait)
Chinese Business Council (UAE)
This monumental deal marks the largest single international purchase of flying cars in history. Du emphasized, “The Middle East is shaping up to be a world leader in smart mobility, and we are proud to contribute to this transformation.” Aridge has also started collaborating with aviation authorities like the UAE’s GCAA and DCAA to secure operational certification and ensure strict safety compliance.
Land Aircraft Carrier – A Car That Soars
At the heart of this revolution lies Aridge’s masterpiece: the Land Aircraft Carrier, a modular flying car that combines the agility of a road vehicle with the freedom of flight. Imagine an electric car capable of transitioning from city traffic to open skies in minutes — futuristic yet grounded in today’s engineering.
Core Features
Design Concept: A detachable eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) module that docks into the car’s rear compartment.
Drive or Fly: The vehicle can function as a regular EV on land or release its air module for personal flight.
Autonomous & Manual Modes: Intelligent auto-pilot for take-off/landing and a single-joystick control system for manual operation.
Smart Interface: Simplified flight dashboard with touch-screen navigation and one-touch take-off/landing.
Power and Range: Under full charge, the ground unit can travel over 1,000 km, while the flying module performs several short trips between charges.
Price (China): Below RMB 2 million (≈ AED 1 million) — competitive against luxury EVs.
Inside the Factory: The World’s First Smart Flying Car Plant
Construction of Aridge’s state-of-the-art factory in Guangzhou, China has been completed, marking the world’s first fully intelligent flying car production base. The plant is designed to output one new vehicle every 30 minutes, with a total annual capacity of 10,000 units.
Investment: Over $600 million funding
Workforce: 1,200 engineers (R&D specialists)
Innovation Legacy: 7 generations of development and 965 patented technologies worldwide.
Automation: Robotic assembly and AI-based quality monitoring ensure precision and efficiency.
Mass Production ETA: 2026, with first deliveries queued for 2027.
The A868 – Next-Gen Luxury in the Skies
Aridge isn’t stopping with the Land Aircraft Carrier. The brand is developing its next marvel — the A868, a six-seat hybrid-electric flying car designed for corporate travel and longer routes.
Highlights:
Range: Over 500 km with hybrid powertrain
Top Speed: 360 km/h
Power Source: Hybrid electric tiltrotor system
Usage: Personal, business, and public emergency applications
“A Morning in 2030, Over the Gulf Skies”
It’s 8:00 AM in Dubai, and traffic is already thick along Sheikh Zayed Road. Ahmed, an entrepreneur based in Abu Dhabi, steps into his Aridge Land Aircraft Carrier. With a tap on the dashboard, the air module detaches, rotors open, and within 60 seconds, he’s climbing steadily toward 300 meters altitude. No noise, no delay—only a clear line between him and his meeting. By 8:15, he’s landed at his company’s rooftop pad in Business Bay.
For Ahmed—and thousands like him—the impossible has become routine. This futuristic vision no longer belongs to science fiction; it’s the dawn of everyday flight.
The Middle East: Emerging Global Hub for eVTOL Mobility
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are at the forefront of global eVTOL testing and adoption. Companies like Archer, Joby Aviation, and now Aridge are joining the regional ecosystem that seeks to redefine travel.
UAE’s Role: Planned commercial air taxi operations by 2026 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Infrastructure: Partnerships with regulators and developers to build vertiports across major GCC cities.
Vision Alignment: The drive complements the Middle East’s smart city agendas and sustainability goals.
Why Aridge Matters
Technological Pioneer: Blending aviation technology with EV practicality.
Affordability: Priced competitively against high-end vehicles, making personal air mobility attainable.
Eco-Friendly: Zero-emission flight powered by sustainable electric tech.
Safety Assurance: Built under global aviation standards in collaboration with GCC authorities.
Job Creation: Boosting engineering, service, and aviation infrastructure sectors in the GCC.
Looking Ahead: “From Dreams to Skies by 2027”
Aridge’s journey from groundbreaking innovation to Gulf partnership highlights a defining era for mobility. Production will ramp up in 2026, and with 600 confirmed GCC orders, the skyward shift is officially underway. The company’s goal is clear—to make flying as common as driving. Soon, the UAE and its neighbors could witness the world’s first flying car traffic corridor, bridging cities through the clouds.
