Saudi Arabia to Launch Electric Passenger Drones by End of Year
In an exciting development, Alkhobar-based firm Front End is gearing up to introduce electric passenger drones to Saudi Arabia by the end of this year, as revealed by its CEO at the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh.
Majed Al-Ghaslan, also the chairman of the company, shared that Front End’s partnership with Chinese electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle developer EHang is paving the way for the deployment of these innovative electric flights in the Kingdom.
Al-Ghaslan emphasized the company’s focus on pushing the boundaries of air and urban traffic management systems, highlighting discussions with the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Transport in Saudi Arabia.
The CEO expressed confidence in the feasibility of introducing electric passenger drones in the Kingdom, citing successful operations in countries like China, Indonesia, and Japan.
These electric flights, capable of carrying passengers and goods, can travel up to 30 minutes with two passengers, with potential for further distance coverage with advanced batteries.
Al-Ghaslan outlined plans for autonomous drones operating with cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, aligning with the Vision 2030 program to drive innovation and transformation in Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, Front End is set to launch a ride-hailing service in the Kingdom using a fleet of electric vehicles through a partnership with Indian company Blue Smart, further emphasizing sustainability as a core theme of their initiatives.