Xpeng Aeroht, Asia’s largest flying car manufacturer, has successfully conducted the first public manned flight of its ‘Land Aircraft Carrier’ vehicle in Dubai. The company, which is rebranding to Aridge, also announced it has secured 600 new orders from companies across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), pushing its global pre-orders beyond 7,000 units.
The demonstration signals a significant step towards making personal aerial transport a reality in the region, with consumer sales in the Middle East anticipated to start as early as 2027.
Strong Regional Demand
The record-breaking orders represent the largest single purchase of flying cars outside of China. The buyers include prominent regional businesses such as the UAE’s Ali & Sons Group, Qatar’s Almana Group, and Kuwait’s ALSAYER Group. The Chinese Business Council in the UAE also participated in the bulk purchase. This strong interest aligns with the city’s forward-thinking approach, where organisations like the Dubai Police to showcase smart innovations at major technology events.
The development places the Gulf at the forefront of adopting next-generation mobility solutions, complementing other major transport initiatives in the area, similar to how Riyadh Air just announced its first flight as a new player in traditional aviation.
Production and Delivery
The Land Aircraft Carrier is a modular two-part design, consisting of a ground-based “mothership” vehicle and a detachable aerial module for flight. The air module can be stored within the ground vehicle, allowing for a seamless transition between driving on roads and taking to the skies.
Aridge confirmed that the vehicle is now entering mass production ahead of a planned delivery schedule starting in 2026. To meet the growing demand, the company is supported by the world’s first dedicated intelligent flying car factory, located in Guangzhou, China. The facility has an annual production capacity of 10,000 units.
With a clear timeline for production and significant backing from regional partners, the prospect of personal flying vehicles operating in the Gulf is moving closer to becoming an everyday reality.
