- From the First Takeoff to the Future of Urban Air Mobility in the GCC
- Land Aircraft Carrier: A Car on the Ground and a Drone in the Sky
- Saudi Arabia Between Tech Readiness and Regulatory Evolution
At a time when car enthusiasts in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are looking for faster, smarter mobility solutions, XPengUAE XpengKSA XpengKuwait XpengQatar XpengOman XpengBahrain XpengEgypt Xpeng enters the scene with a project that feels like it arrived from the next decade. The idea is no longer fiction: a vehicle that drives like a modern electric car, then rises into the sky like a giant drone to fly above traffic. Through the X2 model and the Land Aircraft Carrier project, the Chinese company reveals that the future of driving in the GCC may soon pass over the roads, not just on them.
From the First Takeoff to the Future of Urban Air Mobility in the GCC
XPeng showcased its X2 model in public test flights, proving that flying cars are no longer movie scenes. The X2 features a fully enclosed design resembling a futuristic sports car, equipped with multiple electric rotors for vertical takeoff and short distance urban flights.
Key Features of the X2:
A fully electric vehicle with vertical takeoff and landing capability (VTOL).
Flight endurance of approximately 30 minutes.
An enclosed cabin that accommodates two passengers.
Low noise levels with zero direct emissions.
Ideal for short flights within or across city areas.
Choosing the GCC region as a launch stage was no coincidence. The area represents a perfect platform for advanced technologies and sends a clear message that the next generation of urban air mobility is nearing the region’s streets. With growing interest in smart city projects across Saudi Arabia and the UAE, this technology appears to be on a natural path toward wider adoption.
Land Aircraft Carrier: A Car on the Ground and a Drone in the Sky
XPeng takes the concept of flying vehicles a step further with the Land Aircraft Carrier, the first modular model that combines a full electric SUV with a detachable flight unit that can take off when needed. With this approach, the buyer essentially gets two products in one: a daily use electric car and a large drone capable of flying over congested roads.
Key Advantages of the Land Aircraft Carrier (based on available information):
A fully equipped electric ground vehicle with a long driving range.
A separate flight module with vertical takeoff capability and a flying range of about 20 km.
A detachable and easily re-attachable design between the car and the “air unit.”
Ideal for bypassing congested areas or reaching difficult terrain.
A futuristic vision that merges cars and drones into a single consumer product.
Recent economic reports indicate that XPENG AEROHT, now renamed Aridge, has begun signing major deals in the GCC, including a preliminary agreement to purchase around 600 units of this model. Production is expected to begin in 2026, with Middle East deliveries planned for 2027, placing the region at the forefront of real consumer level adoption of flying vehicles.
Saudi Arabia Between Tech Readiness and Regulatory Evolution
Despite the rapid progress in vertical takeoff technologies, the real challenge lies in regulation. Urban air mobility requires an entirely new ecosystem, including low altitude air corridors, dedicated landing and takeoff stations, charging networks, and clear licensing and training frameworks.
Requirements for Operating Flying Cars Within Cities:
Dedicated flight corridors with precise air traffic monitoring.
Specialized urban “Vertiports” for landing and takeoff.
A clear legal framework for vehicle and pilot licensing.
Standards for insurance, safety, and flight management.
High efficiency energy storage and charging networks.
The UAE has already taken the lead with plans to operate air taxis by 2026, while Saudi Arabia may adopt these technologies during the next decade, especially in projects like NEOM, which is building future ready infrastructure from the ground up and can easily integrate advanced mobility systems.
Until then, XPeng’s projects represent the first glimpse of a new lifestyle for GCC car enthusiasts: one that blends the experience of driving a modern electric car with the ability to lift off the ground when needed, cutting travel time from hours to minutes and offering users a taste of what real future mobility feels like.
