Air Chateau, a private aviation operator based in Dubai, has placed an order for 10 electric flying cars from Crisalion Mobility, a European provider of mobility solutions, to be used as air taxi services in the UAE by 2030. This marks Crisalion's inaugural commercial collaboration in the Middle East. The Integrity air taxi, currently in development by Crisalion, is designed to seat up to five passengers plus a pilot and is suitable for both urban and intercity passenger and cargo transport. It boasts a speed of 180 kilometers per hour and a range of 130km, leveraging the latest battery technology.
Manuel Heredia, the general manager at Crisalion Mobility, announced that the Integrity aircraft is slated for service entry in 2030, with the first units being delivered to customers thereafter. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are actively advancing air mobility by introducing air taxis, which promise to significantly cut travel times. Other companies like Joby and Archer Aviation are also preparing to launch their flying car services in the UAE next year.
Samir Mohamed, chairman of Air Chateau, highlighted Dubai's strategic importance as a pioneering market for new mobility solutions, noting the support received from Dubai South and other UAE stakeholders. Air Chateau plans to expand its operations beyond Dubai to regions including the Middle East, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Europe. The order for 10 Integrity air taxis, or eVTOLs, placed by Air Chateau at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024 in the UK, has boosted Crisalion's conditional pre-order book to 125 aircraft within a year.
The partnership between the two companies aims to introduce air taxi services in major cities across the region, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with potential joint projects in Europe also under consideration. Manuel Heredia, general manager of Crisalion Mobility, emphasized that this collaboration not only marks a significant entry into a strategic region for Crisalion but also aligns with Air Chateau's commitment to sustainable air travel. Samir Mohamed, chairman of Air Chateau, believes that the introduction of air taxis will help alleviate pressure on traditional ground infrastructure, complement existing transportation networks, reduce congestion, and foster a sustainable future.
