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World's first public eVTOL system for Saudi smart megacity

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German electric aviation company Volocopter has established a joint venture with Neom, the planned $500 billion Saudi smart megacity, to design, implement and operate the world's first tailor-made public eVTOL transit system.

The initial order of 10 VoloCity passenger and 5 VoloDrone logistics aircraft will be used to support the earliest flight operations in the next 2-3 years at the still-under-construction megaproject.

First announced in October 2017, Neom is the brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. Located on the Red Sea in the country's northwest Tabuk province, the city is being designed to be both smart - through the planned automation of security, logistics and healthcare - as well as sustainable, powered solely with wind and solar energy. Completion of the city's first section is expected by 2025.

Read more: Saudi Smart City In Desert To Use Solar Tech For Water Source

Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO, Neom, said: "In designing cities and urban infrastructure for the 21st century, mobility is at the centre of the equation. Through this joint venture with Volocopter, we are demonstrating to the world that Neom is the ideal region to implement urban air mobility rapidly and create a fully integrated vertical mobility ecosystem."

eVTOLs (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) are an integral part of Neom's planned mobility infrastructure, enabling people and goods to be transported without the need to develop an extensive surface infrastructure. 

Christian Bauer, Chief Commercial Officer, Volocopter, said: "The partnership with Neom is going to be an exciting journey. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be an essential part of designing and operating a completely new urban air mobility ecosystem from the ground up without the constraint of legacy infrastructure or regulation, and as pioneers in the industry, Volocopter is honoured to be the trusted partner to contribute to NEOM’s ambitious vision."

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