UAE and China seal billion-dollar deal for 350 flying taxis
This marks the largest electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft pre-order in China to date
A company based in the United Arab Emirates, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) manufacturer.
The agreement covers the purchase of 350 E20 eVTOL aircraft, with a total estimated value of US$1 billion, making it the largest pre-order for eVTOLs in China to date. This was reported by People’s Daily Online, a partner of TV BRICS.
The deal stems from a partnership formed between the two companies at last year’s China International Import Expo (CIIE). It is expected that the E20 air taxis, developed in-house, will be deployed commercially across sectors such as low-altitude tourism and urban air mobility in the Middle East and North Africa.
The E20 aircraft is designed to carry one pilot and four passengers, with a range of 200 kilometres and a maximum speed of 320 km/h. Deliveries will take place in several batches over time, according to the terms of the agreement.
Photo: iStock
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Ashok MondalNID Director"Signing this Memorandum of Understanding between the National Institute of Design (NID) and TV BRICS marks a pivotal milestone in advancing design diplomacy across the BRICS media space. This moment is especially significant as India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit, following India’s assumption of the BRICS chairship under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The partnership directly embodies his call to elevate Indian design standards through 'Design in India, Design for the World'. Through the global reach and broadcast capabilities of TV BRICS, we are excited to showcase the extraordinary visual storytelling, films, and design research of NID’s Film and Video Communication students to an international audience, while also welcoming and screening film works from BRICS network countries at NID Ahmedabad. This reciprocal exchange strengthens our shared commitment to educational, cultural, and artistic collaboration, fostering sustainable connections among global creative communities. NID Ahmedabad looks forward to leveraging this partnership to deepen cross-cultural dialogue, build international expert networks, and unlock transformative opportunities for filmmakers, researchers, and faculty across member nations" -
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Xi JinpingPresident of the People’s Republic of China"The foundation of our bilateral relations will only grow stronger, and we will confidently move forward to a better future. […] The striving of nations on our planet for peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit remains unchanged. The vital mission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is to maintain stability and promote the development of our region" -
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