en.Wedoany.com Reported - The UAE is strengthening its ambition to become a global hub for advanced air mobility, having recently signed a series of new agreements to support the design, testing, certification, and manufacturing of electric aircraft.
The latest initiative stems from a cooperation agreement signed by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Abu Dhabi Mobility, and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), supported by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council. This partnership aims to develop advanced air mobility technologies, including electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
The agreement is expected to bolster Abu Dhabi's position, particularly in Al Ain, as a center for aircraft testing, certification, and regulatory development, while attracting international companies and talent to the sector. The UAE seeks to move beyond the operational phase of electric aircraft to establish a complete industry encompassing design, manufacturing, and export.
Although no dedicated budget has been announced for the plan, it is supported by major national industrial initiatives. Under the "Made in Abu Dhabi" strategy, Abu Dhabi aims to achieve industrial investments of AED 369.3 billion, with a focus on advanced industries such as aerospace, robotics, and smart technologies. The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development has identified investment opportunities worth AED 11.04 billion in the smart and advanced mobility sector by 2027, covering electric aircraft, autonomous aviation, vertiport infrastructure, and smart logistics. Under the UAE's "Operation 300b" strategy, the UAE Development Bank has allocated up to AED 30 billion in financing to support advanced manufacturing and technology sectors, including the aviation industry.
Under the latest agreement, government entities will jointly develop certification systems for next-generation aircraft, establish safety and operational standards, and support testing programs that meet international aviation requirements. The initiative will also help develop engineering centers, aircraft production facilities, research laboratories, testing centers, dedicated air corridors, and future vertiports.
In another agreement, Abu Dhabi Mobility signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to explore the application of smart and autonomous mobility solutions in land, sea, and air transport. The partnership will study the use of eVTOL aircraft to connect ADNOC's onshore and offshore facilities with future vertiports, while conducting trials involving autonomous vehicles and smart maritime transport.
Abu Dhabi Mobility has also partnered with Space42 to develop a national geospatial navigation platform that will provide real-time traffic data and support smart city services. Another agreement with Versa Aerospace focuses on developing autonomous and unmanned systems in the air, land, and maritime domains, while strengthening local expertise.
Dr. Abdullah Hamad Al Ghafli, Acting Director General of Abu Dhabi Mobility, stated that these agreements reflect the center's commitment to working with government and private sector partners to develop smart mobility solutions that support the emirate's future growth. Industry experts believe that electric aircraft will play an increasingly important role in urban transportation over the next decade, and countries that invest early in manufacturing and certification stand to benefit from new export opportunities, technology jobs, and long-term economic growth.
