Ras Al Khaimah signs advanced air mobility agreement with Aridge, expanding XPeng Aeroht testing cooperation
Why It MattersThe deal signals Gulf regulators moving from isolated flying-vehicle trials toward dedicated advanced air mobility test zones ahead of eventual commercial deployment.
Ras Al Khaimah has signed an agreement with Aridge to advance testing of flying vehicles in the emirate, moving cooperation beyond initial trials toward more comprehensive validation and operational testing. The signing took place at the RAK Ruler's palace in Saqr bin Mohammed City during a reception hosted by Sheikh Saud for Zhao Deli, Founder and Chairman of XPeng Aeroht, and an accompanying delegation. It was signed on behalf of the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority and the RAK Department of Civil Aviation by Ismail Hassan Al-Balushi, and on behalf of Aridge by Dr. Han Jweishian, Chief Representative for the Middle East at Aridge.
The deal builds on previous cooperation with XPeng Aeroht, which included the first test flight of a flying vehicle conducted in Ras Al Khaimah in 2025. The new partnership expands that cooperation toward a more integrated ecosystem and a phased transition from initial testing to advanced validation and operational trials.
Under the agreement, Aridge will serve as the founding partner of the Ras Al Khaimah advanced air mobility test zone, becoming the first partner to establish an operational presence in the emirate by allocating aircraft and a specialised team. The zone is designed to provide a regulated environment for assessing the readiness of advanced air mobility technologies, validating airspace requirements, operational procedures, and safety standards through phased tests and demonstrations. The agreement also opens the way for exploring future applications in transport, tourism, logistics, and emergency response, subject to regulatory approvals in the UAE and operational readiness milestones.
