Ras Al Khaimah – September 20, 2026 -- ARIDGE, formerly XPENG AEROHT and Asia's largest flying car company, has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah to establish what both parties describe as the world's first regulatory sandbox dedicated to personal low-altitude flight.
The agreement was signed in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, under oversight of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The deal makes ARIDGE the first Chinese flying car company to enter a national-level regulatory sandbox in the Middle East.
RAKTA to oversee desert flight validation and airspace procedures
The Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) will lead the sandbox program, under which ARIDGE will conduct flight validation under desert conditions, assess aircraft performance across operational scenarios, and refine procedures within controlled airspace.
Abu Dhabi-Ras Al Khaimah route to test inter-emirate air mobility
The two parties are also advancing planning for a demonstration route connecting Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, intended to test requirements for future inter-emirate advanced air mobility services. Planned operational areas include flight planning, airspace coordination, ground support, passenger handling, aircraft turnaround and safety management.
Sheikh Saud said the value of technology lies in its impact on people's lives and its ability to support development, adding that Ras Al Khaimah is using innovation to strengthen its economic competitiveness and position as a destination to live, work, invest and visit.
ARIDGE demonstrates modular Land Aircraft Carrier in Abu Dhabi
ARIDGE staged a live formation flight demonstration of its modular flying car, the Land Aircraft Carrier, at a Chinese Embassy reception in Abu Dhabi marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 42nd anniversary of China-UAE diplomatic relations. The event, held at Emirates Palace, was attended by Chinese Ambassador Zeng Jixin along with UAE government and business representatives.
The Land Aircraft Carrier's air module carries fully redundant propulsion, power, communications and flight control systems, with automatic rotor failure response executed within milliseconds. The flight control system allows pilots to override autonomous functions while maintaining stable flight within safe parameters.
UAE program feeds ARIDGE's expansion into Europe and Southeast Asia
ARIDGE said the UAE sandbox and demonstration route will generate operational experience to support localized, scalable advanced air mobility services, while accelerating its expansion into other international markets, including Europe and Southeast Asia.