Qaddiya Air signed an agreement with France's autonomous drone maker XSun to establish a factory producing solar-powered drones in Riyadh, XSun's CEO Benjamin David told Asharq Business last week. The factory is set to begin operations early next year and XSun will fully transfer the tech to Saudi Arabia within three years, Qaddiya Air’s Mohammed AI Harbi told Ashraq Business.

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The initial phase will include making two drones for USD 10 mn, including spare parts for six drones. The agreement includes training local cadres and pilots on the maintenance and operation of the drones.

What we know so far: The zero emissions drones — capable of flying for 12 hours during daylight and 4 hours at night — are designed for various applications, including reconnaissance, environmental monitoring, and agricultural surveillance.

A big year ahead for Saudi green aviation: Test flights for the eVTOL aircraft Saudia Airlines purchased from Germany’s Lilium are set for February 2025. The tests will be followed by training pilots and developing infrastructure until deliveries start to trickle in by 2H 2026. Saudi Arabia’s pilotless, two-person EH216 eVTOL — which can fly for up to 40 km — also completed its first trial last June, with more trials scheduled to support the Hajj season next year.

There’s more to come: US eVTOL manufacturer Joby Aviation — backed by Saudi Jameel Investment — inked a partnership agreement with Aramco subsidiary Mukamalah Aviation to deploy eVTOLs in Saudi Arabia last May. Under the agreement, Mukamalah and Joby will work with Saudi’s General Authority of Civil Aviation to speed up Joby’s entry into the domestic market and line up direct eVTOL sales to Mukamalah. Brazilian company Eve Air Mobility and German flying taxi maker Volocopter are also active in the Kingdom.

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