FlyNow Aviation, the Salzburg-based eCopter innovator, has celebrated a year of milestones in the advanced air mobility sector.
One of FlyNow’s most pivotal moments came during the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh, where it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the National Industrial Development Center (NIDC), and the newly founded Sky Alliance for Automated Air Mobility (SALAAM). This partnership is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to incorporate autonomous electric flight and lay the groundwork for a 2025 pilot programme.
“The signing with GACA is a significant milestone for us because it shows that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is prepared to open up for an automatic electric flight approach,” said Yvonne Winter, FlyNow’s Chief Commercial Officer.
“We’re now preparing for the sandbox in 2025—a pilot project where we bring our eCopter to Saudi Arabia and integrate the necessary digital backbone of the air traffic management system provided by Sky Roads,” Winter added.
The company also partnered with Savvy Charging Technologies to develop new airside charging solutions. This collaboration aims to redefine eCopter charging in the Middle East with off-grid, ultra-fast mobile solutions, ensuring rapid and efficient turnaround times for the aircraft.
Innovations and Developments
This year saw the launch of the second iteration of FlyNow’s full-scale 1:1 eCopter prototype, with improved aerodynamics, enhanced cooling systems for the battery and motor, and increased stability.
FlyNow has conducted 189 test flights, each bringing the company closer to perfecting its modular eVTOL family, which includes single- and twin-seat passenger models and a cargo version capable of carrying 200 kilograms. The eCopter is designed with a footprint of seven square metres and a noise level of 55 dB(A) at 150 metres.
FlyNow’s global ambitions were highlighted with the establishment of a new office in Riyadh, cementing its presence in the Middle East. The company also co-founded SALAAM, an international consortium aimed at developing turn-key solutions for automated air mobility. SALAAM will play a central role in FlyNow’s pilot programme in Saudi Arabia, addressing challenges such as air traffic integration, vertiports, and regulatory frameworks.
Reflecting on the company’s progress, Winter expressed optimism: “I am certain that FlyNow will spread its wings and take off in 2025. FlyNow Aviation—radically different, amazingly simple, and designed the way it works.”
As FlyNow gears up for its sandbox trials in 2025, it aims to transition from testing to implementation. The pilot programme in Saudi Arabia will integrate digital air traffic management and automated flight systems, setting the stage for large-scale operations by the end of the decade.
