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Abu Dhabi Company to Manufacture MENA Region’s First Sustainable Aircraft | |
| Radhika Laghate |
Monarch Holding, Abu Dhabi, partners with Chinese technology company EHang to develop sustainable aircraft and drones for cargo and passenger transportation by taking a step towards a smart, sustainable, and circular economy.
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Monarch Holding, an Abu Dhabi-based manufacturer, has joined forces with EHang Holdings, a Chinese autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) technology platform company, to establish the Middle East and North Africa's first facility to manufacture and operate sustainable, electric-powered aircraft and drones for cargo and passenger transportation in Abu Dhabi. Its aim is to transform Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy's mission towards a smart, circular, and sustainable economy, leveraging Industry 4.0's innovative technologies and green policies to achieve its objectives.
The partnership will enable the manufacture of sustainable electric aircraft and drones, establish a command-and-control centre to manage urban air mobility autonomously, and develop infrastructure, vertiports, and facilities for operating electric aircraft and drones. It will also support the development of Emirati talent by providing training opportunities. Furthermore, the project will contribute to revitalising markets and supporting local products by facilitating the flow of goods and merchandise to sales outlets, ports, and airports, thereby enhancing trade.
The venture will establish an advanced infrastructure for vertical ports and an autonomous flight management system operated by artificial intelligence, supporting sustainable and electric-powered commercial aircraft and drones. This will be achieved through cooperation with local entities, enabling Abu Dhabi to adopt urban aviation technologies and reinforcing its position as the smartest city in the Middle East and North Africa. The project focuses on enhancing smart and sustainable mobility by providing a new concept of cargo and passenger transportation using advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, and sustainable energy with zero carbon emissions.
Through this partnership, Abu Dhabi will continue its transition towards a smart, circular, and sustainable economy, enabling it to establish itself as a hub for the development of sustainable electric aircraft and drones. The partnership between Monarch Holding and EHang Holdings will drive innovation, create jobs, and strengthen the local economy while promoting sustainable transportation and urban mobility.
Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, Undersecretary of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), said, "This partnership to manufacture and manage electric-powered aircraft and drones for cargo and passengers reflects the high level of our infrastructure for advanced and smart industries and developed legislative and regulatory frameworks in the emirate, which provides an attractive environment for innovations and investments in advanced industries and technological transformation. To ensure the best conditions for investors and entrepreneurs, ADDED has launched many initiatives to enhance ease of doing business and trade, finance, and attract foreign direct investment."
"This venture will support the future of the transportation sector in the emirate of Abu Dhabi in line with the government's vision to enhance the fundamentals of the smart city. It provides a new concept of cargo and passenger transportation, utilising advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, and sustainable energy with zero carbon emissions," said Hussain Ali Alomaeirah, Founder and Chairman of Monarch Holding.