Dubai’s skyline turned futuristic on Sunday as a flying car lifted off over Palm Jumeirah, marking the opening of Gitex, the UAE’s largest technology exhibition. The flight demonstration, conducted by Chinese company Xpeng Aeroht, showcased what could become the next leap in personal mobility.
The innovative vehicle, part of Xpeng’s fifth-generation lineup, combines a six-wheeled electric “mother ship” with a detachable two-seater eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft. Designed for quick transitions between driving and flying, it can easily navigate challenging terrain such as mountains or remote coastal regions — and even assist in emergency rescue missions.
Michael Du, vice president of Xpeng Aeroht, described the event as “the beginning of the era of personal flight.” He highlighted how advancements in electric power systems, AI-driven navigation, and big data management have made personal aviation more accessible than ever. “Flying by itself is cool,” he said. “Today, the dream of everyday flight is becoming reality.”
Xpeng, soon to be rebranded as Aridge, has already received 600 orders from the Middle East, with total global orders surpassing 7,000. A high-capacity factory in Guangzhou, China, is now capable of producing up to 10,000 vehicles annually. Meanwhile, the UAE’s recent special flight permit suggests that flying cars could soon be a regular sight across the Gulf’s skies.