Odys Aviation to set up assembly plant in Abu Dhabi: US-based hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft manufacturer Odys Aviation will set up its headquarters, along with a high-volume assembly and maintenance plant, in Abu Dhabi,WAM reports. This comes as part of its participation in the UAE’s Economy Ministry’s NextGen FDI program, which helps businesses launch and scale their operations in the UAE.

The details: Odys’ aircraft — which are designed for passenger, cargo, and emergency services — will be able to deliver all-electric propulsion for 320 km and hybrid-electric propulsion for upwards of 1.2k km, WAM reports. The company plans to export an undisclosed number of aircraft, which will be the first aircraft assembled in the UAE, it adds. The move is expected to create upwards of 2k direct and indirect jobs.

The timeline: Odys’ current timeline sees a full-scale prototype being available for testing in 2025 and a final product going into service in 2027.

A boon for decarbonization efforts: The introduction of Odys’ aircraft to the UAE and GCC could help reduce carbon emissions from air travel within the GCC by as much as 76%, WAM writes.

… and for regional connectivity: “Our aircraft will also mean brand new opportunities for domestic air connectivity in the UAE and regional flying between key GCC cities, cutting door-to-door times in half compared to conventional travel options today, and doing so in a carbon friendly way,” commented Co-Founder and CEO at Odys Aviation James Dorris.

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