Dubai Airshow: “Why The Middle East Could Dominate Future eVTOL and UAM Industry”
The Dubai Airshow is almost upon us. Viewed as the largest and most important global aviation event of its kind, the 18th edition is scheduled to take place from November 13th-17th at the Dubai World Central (DWC), Al Maktoum International Airport, reports a press release.
There will be more than 1,400 exhibitors; 180 aircraft on flying and static display; the returning Space Experience and CXO Programmes, as well as the renowned startup hub VISTA; 9 industry conference tracks led by 300 or more speakers delivering close to 80 hours of content; all covering the aerospace, space and defence industry including the rapidly growing eVTOL and UAM markets.
The release states, “The CPD-accredited conferences will bring together experts, leaders and stakeholders to shape the future of aerospace with a focus on priority topics such as Advanced Aerial Mobility, Sustainability, Passenger Experience, Air Traffic Management, Diversity & Inclusion, Space, start-ups and mentoring platform Vista, student-focused NextGen Leaders, along with the Airworthiness & Safety Conference.”
Flying Taxi and related-UAM global companies exhibiting include Archer, Eve Air Mobility, Lilium, AutoFlight, Ascendance, Jekta Seaplane, Manta Aircraft, VoltAero, VPorts and Zuri. Drone and unmanned aviation-related companies include Autel Robotics, Anra Technologies, ARC Aerosystems, NATS and Thales. Surprisingly, neither EHang or Joby Aviation have taken a stand. The show’s primary conference sponsors include Lilium.
A major theme at the Airshow is “exploring the future of aviation in the context of environmental sustainability and to assess how airlines, airports, and governments can support renewable fuels and energy policies.”
(Credit: Dubai Airshow)
In a recent evtolinsights.com interview with Mike Rowe, President of Aerospace and Defence at Frost & Sullivan, a Consulting, Analytics and Research company, he explained that a report carried out for private clients in 2020, not only showed that Dubai is the top world city with “a propensity to adopt” flying taxis, but that the Middle East region will likely be leading the global UAM market by 2030.
There are various reasons for this.
A political determination by the region’s leadership; less building restrictions and red tape to cross than in the West; plenty of desert for the aircraft to fly over, decreasing potential populace injury from an eVTOL accident; but above all, the area is becoming a growing attraction for global business.
As the West continues its decline with growing debt mountains, increasing crime and civil unrest, the Middle East offers a safe haven. In a recent report by www.numbeo.com, entitled ‘Top Ten Safest Cities’, four of the top 5 were from the Middle East. These are Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman and Doha.
Crime rates compared to other countries are some of the lowest in the world and still decreasing. Inhabitants can leave an unlocked car or home without fear of theft. Shops rarely experience shoplifting. The region is viewed as one of the safest in the world to raise a family or to build a business. With a leadership keen to dominate the global UAM industry, it is of no surprise to learn that Archer is setting up its first international base in Abu Dhabi after signing a MOU with ADIO to launch a Midnight eVTOL service across the United Arab Emirates in 2026.
For Archer, expansion will be easier and faster than in the West. If the U.S company requires a series of vertiports to be constructed as part of a new flight service, they will be built and quickly. No lengthy and heated discussions with the local people; no demonstrations or complaints about noise; no red tape to cross, so long as safety is paramount. If you build it, they will come. Similar rules apply to the drone delivery and cargo industry, where leading vertiport companies like Skyports could also prosper.
While the Middle East’s social and political attitudes may be viewed by some with disdain, perhaps cynically, this can assist the new and emerging UAM industry. And with the construction of NEOM generating global interest and huge investment, this could only help the flying taxi industry. Therefore, it is imperative that eVTOL and drone companies gain a footing.
Already, Volocopter is collaborating with the NEOM project to be the first flying taxi service in that region. Back in November 2022, the project announced a USD175 million Series E investment in the eVTOL company and this June, the first Volocity trials took place in Saudi Arabia. Christian Bauer, Chief Commercial Officer of Volocopter, enthused, “As the first eVTOL aircraft to ever test here, we are proud to have laid the groundwork for our future collaboration.”
The press release announcing this partnership states, “These aircraft will be employed as air taxis and emergency response vehicles, offering quieter operation, greater adaptability, and lower operating costs compared to traditional helicopters. The future of public transport has arrived.”
Volocity Flying Over Oxagon (graphic image)
Other eVTOL companies like Joby and Lilium are already building business links in the Middle East. For example, Lilium announced today (October 31st) that ArcosJet has been appointed as its authorised dealer for the UAE. To repeat, this is the territory where you need to be.
Along with China, it may well become the financial and business powerhouse of the future and why exhibiting at the Dubai Airshow, the epicentre of this future UAM revolution, is important and why evtolinsights.com is holding a private and intimate gathering on Sunday, November 12th from 12 noon to 3pm local time.
The event held at the W Dubai – The Palm, features a 5* buffet lunch and provides companies with an exclusive opportunity to network face-to-face with senior industry executives from the global Advanced Air Mobility market. Those attending include representatives from Archer, Lilium, Ascendance Flight Technologies, FreeFlight Systems, Rolls-Royce Electrical, Canadian Advanced Air Mobility Consortium (CAAM) and Saudi Aerospace Engineering. More companies are to follow.
Editors and journalists from The Royal Aeronautical Society’s AEROSPACE magazine, Simple Flying, Aviation International News and Airlines.de will also attend this ‘behind closed doors’ event. Meanwhile, a film crew is on site to conduct video interviews with each company attending. Food and drink will be provided by the event’s sponsor, FreeFlight Systems.
For more information about this intimate and exclusive Dubai event please email Doreen Pupillo, Head of Partnerships at eVTOL Insights: doreen@evtolinsights.com or to secure your spot and buy a ticket, please visit our Eventbrite page.
(Top image: Dubai Airshow)