"The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken a bold step into the future by signing a massive ₹8300 crore ($1 billion) deal with China’s TCab Tech for 350 E20 flying taxis. This deal, signed on July 16, 2025, makes the UAE the first country to adopt flying taxis, or electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, on a large scale. It’s the biggest order of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. China is leading the world in developing these flying taxis, and the UAE plans to use them for tourism and city travel. Let’s dive into how China built this technology and what this deal means"-
China’s journey started decades ago, but things really took off in the 2000s when companies like DJI made China the global leader in drones. DJI, founded in 2006, mastered things like electric motors, batteries, and auto-flight systems. These are the same technologies needed for flying taxis. By 2010, China was making 80% of the world’s consumer drones, giving them a big head start in building small, electric flying machines.In 2013, a company called EHang, based in Guangzhou, decided to take this tech to the next level. They started working on passenger drones—small aircraft that could carry people. In 2016, they showed off the EH216-S at a global tech event called CES. This was a two-seater flying taxi that could fly without a pilot, controlled by computers. It was a big moment, putting China alongside global players like Germany’s Volocopter and the US’s Joby Aviation.The Chinese government played a huge role. They wanted to make cities smarter and less polluted, so they supported new tech like flying taxis. In their 13th Five-Year Plan (2016–2020), they focused on electric vehicles and smart cities. They also opened up low-altitude airspace—below 1,000 meters—for civilian use, which was crucial for flying taxis. The government poured money into research and testing, helping companies like EHang grow.By 2019, EHang had completed over 2,000 test flights in China, the US, and Europe. They tested the EH216-S for safety, stability, and things like avoiding obstacles. It could fly at 130 km/h, cover 35 km, and stay in the air for about 21 minutes. Other companies, like TCab Tech (started in 2018) and XPeng AeroHT, also jumped in. TCab’s E20, a five-seater with a pilot, was designed for longer trips, up to 200 km at 320 km/h. XPeng even made a “flying car” that could drive on roads and fly in the air. These companies got big investments—EHang alone raised ₹350 crore ($42 million) in 2015.
China’s not alone—other companies like AutoFlight, Aerofugia (backed by carmaker Geely), and state-owned AVIC are also building eVTOLs. AutoFlight tested their Prosperity eVTOL in Japan, while XPeng’s “Land Aircraft Carrier” is set for production in 2026. Over 30 startups and 100 companies are part of China’s Low Altitude Economic Alliance, all working to make flying taxis common
The UAE-China ₹8300 Crore Deal-The UAE’s deal with TCab Tech is a game-changer. On July 16, 2025, Autocraft, a UAE company, signed a ₹8300 crore ($1 billion) deal for 350 E20 eVTOLs. This is the biggest eVTOL order in the MENA region and shows the UAE’s ambition to lead in futuristic transport.The deal will bring 350 E20 flying taxis to the UAE, delivered in batches once TCab gets CAAC approval. The E20 can carry five people (one pilot, four passengers), fly 200 km, and hit 320 km/h. It’s perfect for short trips, like from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, or for sightseeing over the Burj Khalifa. The UAE wants to connect these flying taxis with e-scooters and public buses for easy travel.The UAE is ready for this. They passed the world’s first vertiport regulations in December 2024 and are building vertiports, including one at Dubai International Airport opening in early 2026. This deal builds on earlier tests with China’s EHang, which flew pilgrims during Hajj in Saudi Arabia in 2024. The UAE’s focus on tech, through plans like Vision 2030, makes it the perfect place to launch flying taxis.
This ₹8300 crore deal is just the beginning. China’s planning for 100,000 eVTOLs by 2030, with vertiports across 30+ cities. The UAE is setting the pace as the first country to adopt flying taxis at scale, with plans to make them part of daily life. These machines could change how we travel—skipping traffic, cutting pollution, and making short trips faster. From tourist rides in Dubai to city commutes in Shanghai, flying taxis are no longer a dream—they’re here. China and the UAE are leading the way, and the world is watching.
Very well explained.
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