ARIDGE and Ras Al Khaimah Partner on Flying Car Regulatory Sandbox

Chinese flying car developer ARIDGE, formerly known as XPeng AeroHT, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah to launch an Advanced Air Mobility regulatory sandbox.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi and will function under the oversight of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority. The arrangement establishes ARIDGE as the first Chinese flying car company to enter a national-level regulatory testing program in the Middle East.

Under the sandbox framework, the company will conduct validation flight tests in regional desert conditions and evaluate operating safety standards. The partnership also plans an experimental flight demonstration route connecting Ras Al Khaimah with Abu Dhabi to test inter-emirate transit infrastructure.