UAE's aviation authority announces framework for regulating electric air taxis
The rollout of the regulations will allow both electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and conventional helicopters to operate interchangeably on the same infrastructure, reported state news agency Wam.
The announcement came as two test flights took place in the UAE in recent days. On Monday, California-based Joby Aviation, in partnership with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, carried out an electric air taxi test flight ahead of a planned launch of commercial operations next year. Archer Aviation completed the first test flight in Abu Dhabi of its air taxi on Wednesday.
'The UAE has always been at the forefront of excellence in aviation. This pioneering regulatory framework does not merely enable new technology; it redefines how aviation evolves,' said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general of the GCAA.
'It reflects our commitment to innovation in developing a supportive ecosystem for the growth of this vital sector and a future where advanced air mobility is seamlessly integrated into our national infrastructure.'
The newly announced regulations will allow for dual-use between conventional helicopter pads and electric vertical take-off and landing pads.
The framework will enable the UAE to adopt a flexible regulatory environment that keeps pace with emerging technologies without compromising safety standards, said Aqeel Al Zarouni, assistant director general for aviation safety affairs at the GCAA.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yemen Online
a day ago
- Yemen Online
UAE's aviation authority announces framework for regulating electric air taxis
The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority has announced a framework to regulate the use of electric and conventional helicopters in the Emirates. The rollout of the regulations will allow both electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and conventional helicopters to operate interchangeably on the same infrastructure, reported state news agency Wam. The announcement came as two test flights took place in the UAE in recent days. On Monday, California-based Joby Aviation, in partnership with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, carried out an electric air taxi test flight ahead of a planned launch of commercial operations next year. Archer Aviation completed the first test flight in Abu Dhabi of its air taxi on Wednesday. 'The UAE has always been at the forefront of excellence in aviation. This pioneering regulatory framework does not merely enable new technology; it redefines how aviation evolves,' said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general of the GCAA. 'It reflects our commitment to innovation in developing a supportive ecosystem for the growth of this vital sector and a future where advanced air mobility is seamlessly integrated into our national infrastructure.' The newly announced regulations will allow for dual-use between conventional helicopter pads and electric vertical take-off and landing pads. The framework will enable the UAE to adopt a flexible regulatory environment that keeps pace with emerging technologies without compromising safety standards, said Aqeel Al Zarouni, assistant director general for aviation safety affairs at the GCAA.
Saba Yemen
3 days ago
- Saba Yemen
World's Largest Natural Gas Producing Countries
Washington - (Saba): A new report by the Energy Research Unit revealed the list of the world's largest natural gas producing countries in 2024, which includes three Arab countries. The new report indicated a 1.2% increase in global natural gas production to 4.124 trillion cubic meters in 2024, compared to approximately 4.064 trillion cubic meters in 2023. The report, published by the Washington-based Energy Research Unit, stated that the United States maintained its lead as the world's largest natural gas producing country, accounting for a quarter of global production. Only four countries—the United States, Russia, Iran, and China—accounted for 53% of total global natural gas production in 2024. The report indicated that three Arab countries maintained their positions among the top 10 producers in 2024, with Saudi Arabia continuing to outperform Norway. The Energy Research Unit report reviewed the list of the world's largest natural gas producing countries in 2024, which included three Arab countries, as follows: 1. United States: 1,033 billion cubic meters. 2. Russia: 629.9 billion cubic meters. 3. Iran: 262.9 billion cubic meters. 4. China: 248.4 billion cubic meters. 5. Canada: 194.2 billion cubic meters. 6. Qatar: 179.5 billion cubic meters. 7. Australia: 150.1 billion cubic meters. 8. Saudi Arabia: 121.5 billion cubic meters. 9. Norway: 113.2 billion cubic meters. 10. Algeria: 94.7 billion cubic meters. The report concluded that the list included significant changes in production levels between countries, both up and down, with Saudi Arabia continuing to outperform Norway for the second year in a row. Facebook Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
Saba Yemen
09-06-2025
- Saba Yemen
Media Reports: British Company sent 1,000 ammunition containers to "Israel" during aggression on Gaza
London - Saba: British media reports indicate that a British engineering company sent more than 1,000 ammunition containers to an Israeli company, the primary supplier to the occupation army, during the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip. According to what was published Monday, by the British websites Declassified and Detach, new documents confirm that the British company Bermuda Industries sent more than 1,000 ammunition containers to the Israeli company Elbit Systems since October 2023, at the height of the ongoing aggression on the Gaza Strip, raising concerns about arms export controls in the United Kingdom. British reports indicated that the Durham-based engineering company sent 16 shipments of storage containers weighing more than 100 tons to Elbit Systems, which produces a range of weapons for the Israeli occupation army, including 155mm and 122mm artillery shells. The Bermuda Industries website indicates that the company produces a "wide range of ammunition containers" for belted ammunition, cartridges, mortar shells, and artillery shells. 920 containers were shipped to Elbit's Ramat Hasharon plant between October 2023 and April 2025, with another 160 containers shipped to Elbit's Advanced Technology Center in Haifa in December 2023. Elbit is a major supplier of mortars to the Israeli military and has participated in the design and manufacture of ground systems and products for armored vehicles, artillery systems, and shells used in the Gaza War. The Israeli military has also tested and deployed several mortar systems since the start of the offensive, including the Iron Sting system, which has a range of 1 to 12 kilometers. According to the documents, 360 containers were sent in April 2025, as the Israeli attack on Gaza escalated. The shipments were transported by the Israeli shipping company Zim to the port of Ashdod. Declassified estimated the total weight of these shipments at more than 135 tons. The UK Department for Business and Trade told Declassified: "We have a strict licensing regime for the export of controlled goods, and we have suspended all licenses for items intended for the Israeli military that may be used in military operations in Gaza. This is based on our assessment that these items may be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law, subject to specific measures taken for the global F-35 program." Britain is witnessing ongoing demonstrations demanding an end to arms exports to the Zionist enemy, the most recent of which was the siege of Parliament by 10,000 protesters last Wednesday. Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn also introduced a bill calling for a full, public, and independent investigation into the UK's role in the ongoing genocide in Gaza, asserting that the government continues to permit the supply of weapons to a country whose leader is wanted by the International Criminal Court. In previous press statements, Corbyn said, "The continued supply of components for the F-35 fighter program is disgusting and must be investigated." He asked, "Is this an exception to the government's legal obligations to prevent genocide? One thing is beyond doubt: this government continues to permit the supply of weapons to a country whose leader is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity." With American and European support, the enemy has been committing genocide in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 54,927 civilians, most of them children and women, in addition to more than 11,000 missing persons. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
