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Aridge targets late 2027 UAE flying car deliveries after RAK sandbox deal
Chinese manufacturer completed authority test flights in China and signed with Ras Al Khaimah to establish regulatory testing framework.
Aridge signed with Ras Al Khaimah in September 2026 to establish a regulatory sandbox for testing its Land Aircraft Carrier flying car system in the UAE, with consumer deliveries targeted for late 2027. The company completed authority test flights in China and is awaiting its final type certificate there, according to Michael Du, Chief Financial Officer of Aridge, speaking at the Dubai Business Forum in Shenzhen on 20 October 2026.
Aridge regulatory sandbox timeline and testing schedule#
The company expects to begin test operations in the UAE in early 2027, subject to finalising details of the Ras Al Khaimah regulatory sandbox and arrangements for bringing the aircraft into the country. The programme is expected to run over six to twelve months, giving local authorities time to develop operating procedures and adapt existing regulations to advanced air mobility. Late 2027 remains the target for initial consumer deliveries in an ideal scenario, though the schedule may extend into early 2028 based on the pace at which regulatory frameworks and operational environments are established, Du said.
Land Aircraft Carrier specifications and order book#
The Land Aircraft Carrier consists of two parts: the aircraft module, known as the X3-F, and the vehicle it sits in. Users drive to their destination, park the vehicle, and launch the aircraft module for shorter flights. The X3-F has reached the TIA stage in China's certification process, Du said. By 2025, Aridge had received more than 300 early-stage orders, according to Du. Annual deliveries may eventually total several hundred units and could approach 1,000, though the company has not yet marketed the product actively for sales in the UAE.
Expansion plans and additional aircraft development#
Ras Al Khaimah offers a starting point because it has less densely populated areas than Dubai, Du said. The company plans demonstration routes connecting emirates, including Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah. Aridge is also developing the A868, a six-person aircraft including pilot, with 500km range and 360km per hour top speed. Du said routes such as Dubai to Abu Dhabi could be served by the A868. The Land Aircraft Carrier could reach the market sooner than the company's larger electric aircraft, which are designed for longer journeys between cities.
Sources1 source across 1 domain
- khaleejtimes.comKhaleej TimesAridge signed with Ras Al Khaimah for regulatory sandbox, targets late 2027 deliveries, completed authority test flights in China, received 300+ orders, X3-F reached TIA stage, A868 specifications
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