New pilotless air taxi completes test flight in Abu Dhabi (VIDEO)
EH216-S aircraft confirmed for regional production and assembly in UAE
ABU DHABI has taken a major step in advancing urban air mobility with the public demonstration of a new electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) passenger aircraft.
The event was supported by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), in collaboration with global aviation firm EHang and UAE-based Multi Level Group (MLG).
The demonstration flight of the fully autonomous aircraft reflected Abu Dhabi’s vision of safe, zero-emission aerial transport, while strengthening its role as a leader in next-generation transportation across air, land and sea. Conducted under the oversight of the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the flight provided real-world validation of critical technologies and operational frameworks.
New pilotless air taxi
The test flight served as a platform to showcase the capabilities of the EH216-S aircraft, developed by EHang. The autonomous mission confirmed performance in Abu Dhabi’s hot-weather climate, along with airspace coordination, vertiport integration and route planning. The flight also served as a working demonstration of the regulatory and infrastructure requirements necessary for future commercial operation.
الرحلة التجريبية للطائرة الكهربائية العمودية ذاتية القيادة أسهمت في تقييم القدرات التكنولوجية للطائرة على العمل في الأجواء الحارة، وجاهزية المهابط والمرافق، وكفاءة عمليات التنسيق الجوي، بما يؤكّد ريادة #أبوظبي في توظيف أحدث التقنيات المبتكرة وحلول النقل الذكي. pic.twitter.com/OnlqiInU2r
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) June 13, 2025
The EH216-S is a two-seater, pilotless aircraft powered entirely by electricity. It features eight arms with 16 propellers, each connected to dual motors, for a total of 32 independent electric motors. The aircraft is designed for vertical take-off and landing, eliminating the need for runways and making it ideal for urban use.
How will it be used?
Built for short-distance transport and urban sightseeing, the EH216-S offers a silent, zero-emission solution for cities. Its compact design and autonomous controls position it as a practical option for mobility in densely populated areas.
EHang, which is listed on Nasdaq, confirmed plans to set up regional operations in Abu Dhabi. This includes a final assembly line and support facilities. The move is supported by ADIO and executed in partnership with MLG, aligning with the emirate’s ambition to develop a knowledge-driven economy and attract global innovation.
Badr Al Olama, Director-General at ADIO, said: “Today’s demonstration embodies Abu Dhabi’s future-forward ambition. Through the vision of the SASC, we’re turning future mobility into tangible nation-building. With EHang and MLG, we are proving that urban air taxis will be a part of everyday life, here in Abu Dhabi and around the world.”
What’s the bigger picture?
The test flight is part of a broader initiative to position Abu Dhabi at the forefront of autonomous transport. Through the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry cluster, the emirate is localising production, investing in supporting infrastructure, and enabling regulations to scale future technologies.
Public engagement was also a focus of the demonstration. The event offered stakeholders and residents a close-up view of what future aerial mobility could look like, helping build awareness and trust in the technology.
Mohamed Salah, CEO of Advanced Mobility Hub (a subsidiary of MLG), said: “This public flight demonstration marks a pivotal milestone in our strategic partnership with EHang… We are not only accelerating innovation and advanced manufacturing but also laying the foundation for a new era of smart and sustainable mobility across the Middle East and Africa.”
The EH216-S is the world’s first certified pilotless eVTOL aircraft, having received a type certificate, production certificate and standard airworthiness certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China. With this public flight, Abu Dhabi has reinforced its role in enabling the commercialisation and widespread use of such advanced aerial systems.