Saudi Arabia Operates Flying Taxis In Alula And Neoms Starting In 2026

Volocopter trials. (Source: Volocopter)

JAKARTA - Flying taxis are expected to be used in key tourist sites and development in Saudi Arabia in the coming years in line with the kingdom's modernization plan.

Flying taxis will enter the market in 2026, and will be used in major cities such as the Neom futuristics city and the historic AlUla tourist site, Saudia Airlines said in an announcement last month.

"We are close to achieving our goal. We have successfully conducted trials at Neom," a source from the ministry of aviation told The National News, as reported on February 10.

Volocopter will be Neom's first operator of public transport routes. The futuristic city envisions its citizens not using cars, but choosing public transportation and autonomous vehicles for travel.

Flying taxis will be a form of transportation available, according to Neom's plan.

"This includes high-speed public transport, electrical mobility and joint autonomous, but also electric urban air mobility, electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, which can take people and connect them to the extraordinary environment we have at Neom, thereby greatly reducing the need for highways and surface mobility," Florian Lennert, head of mobility at Neom, said in an official statement.

In the competition for air mobility, Saudi Arabia seeks to achieve the sustainable goals listed in the kingdom's Vision 2030 development plan.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2060 by reducing carbon emissions, investing in new energy sources, and developing carbon capture and storage programs.

The development of AlUla is part of the 2030 Vision which aims to strengthen its position as the main goal of international culture and tourism.

In 2021, Neom and German company Volocopter set up a joint venture to increase advanced air mobility. They successfully tested flying taxis last year.

Volocopter aircraft will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy, generated by solar and wind energy sources.

"The success of eVTOL Volocopter flight tests is a real example of Neom as a global accelerator and an incubator of solutions to the most pressing challenges in the world," Neom CEO Nadhmi Al Nasr said in a statement.

"Encouraging the development of smart, sustainable, safe mobility systems will improve habitability and connectivity in cities around the world and reduce carbon emissions, thereby creating a cleaner future for all," he said.

Volocopter itself is targeted to get a VoloCity air taxi certification by 2024, Neom officials said.