Skip to content Skip to Search
Skip navigation

Abu Dhabi’s Ethmar unit to buy 100 Chinese air taxis

By Pramod Kumar
EHang Holdings
The initial deliveries of EH216 series eVTOL are set to commence in the first quarter of 2024

Wings Logistics Hub, the technology arm of the Abu Dhabi-based Ethmar International Holding, intends to buy up to 100 air taxis from the Chinese drone maker EHang Holdings.

The initial deliveries of EH216 series electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles are due to commence in the first quarter of 2024, the UAE state-run Wam news agency reported.

In addition, EHang will join the smart and autonomous vehicle industries cluster in Abu Dhabi, which aims to add up to AED120 billion ($33 billion) to the country’s economy. The cluster will enable access to funding and investments, streamline regulatory services, and fast-track future mobility solutions.

The collaboration between Wings Logistics and EHang aims to advance the development of urban air transportation and smart city management in the UAE and the Middle East and North Africa region.

They will also work together to facilitate local certification and operations of the EH216 series eVTOLs in the UAE, which are designed for passenger transportation, aerial logistics, and firefighting, respectively.

Mohamed Al Dhaheri, a Wings Logistics Hub board member, said that introducing electric aviation to the UAE is expected to alleviate congestion with zero emissions and attract significant foreign direct investment.

Huazhi Hu, CEO and chairman of EHang, said: “Our aim is to work with our local partner to enhance safe, intelligent, autonomous, and eco-friendly air mobility in this region.”

EHang was the first company to receive a certificate for an autonomous eVTOL from China’s national civil aviation authority, in October 2023.

Latest articles

A Geely Galaxy E8 electric vehicle at Auto China 2024. Geely is one of the most popular Chinese car brands in the Gulf

Chinese carmakers ‘taking Gulf by storm’

Chinese carmakers now claim a sizeable chunk of new car sales in the Gulf and it is likely they will increase their market share further by wooing regional consumers through their vehicles’ innovative designs and perceived value for money. That is the prediction of Amir Khurshid, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s ThinkDirect Automotive Consulting and an […]

UAE’s RedBird IMI acquires UK TV producer for $1.5bn

RedBird IMI, A US investment management company partly owned by Abu Dhabi’s International Media Investments, has acquired All3Media, the UK’s largest independent TV production company behind hits such as Fleabag, The Traitors and Gogglebox. The for £1.15 billion ($1.5 billion) deal is the largest for RedBird IMI to date, the company said in a statement. […]

PIF's Starbucks shareholdings were cut almost by half from 6.3 million shares to 3.8 million

PIF slashes Starbucks stake as it cuts US stocks by $15bn

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has slashed its US equity holdings by 42 percent to $20.6 billion, including its stake in Starbucks, the global coffee chain that has suffered calls for a boycott as a result of the Gaza conflict. The latest US government data highlights funding challenges facing the Saudi giga-projects.  The filing […]

Tunisia olives

Soaring olive oil exports help Tunisia balance books

Tunisia’s soaring olive oil exports have almost doubled to close to $1 billion in just five months, helping it claw back its current account deficit.   However the increased revenues merely “paint over the cracks” and the country is still probably heading towards a sovereign default, according to an economic expert. Tunisia’s current account deficit narrowed […]