China's Flying Taxis: First Rides in 2026, UAE to Follow

A Chinese company says it will start commercial passenger flights with electric flying taxis in 2026. The United Arab Emirates will be its first international market. The vehicle is an eVTOL, or electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. It takes off like a helicopter but uses multiple rotors for quieter, electric-powered flight. The five-seat craft is designed for short urban trips, traveling up to 250 kilometers on a single charge. Shenzhen-based AutoFlight says it has already completed a major test. Its Prosperity aircraft flew over 250 kilometers between two cities in southern China. This demonstrates the range needed for practical routes, like airport transfers or city-to-city links. The company claims this flight set a world distance record for an eVTOL carrying a weight equivalent to three passengers. Regulatory approval from Chinese authorities is the final step. AutoFlight states it is in the last phase of this certification process. Once secured, it plans to launch service in China's Greater Bay Area in 2026, followed by operations in the UAE. This move positions China as a leader in the emerging advanced air mobility sector. The industry aims to decongest ground traffic with short-hop air travel.