China’s Aridge flying car makes debut flight in UAE

Dubai witnessed another display of futuristic innovation as China’s Aridge and XPENG AEROHT conducted a live demonstration of their latest flying car model, the Aridge X3-F, also known as the Land Aircraft Carrier.

The modular vehicle consists of a “mothership” ground car and a detachable air module capable of vertical takeoff and landing. During the flight, the aircraft showcased both manual joystick control and fully automated one-touch flight operations.

Aridge executives said the design was made to be intuitive enough for ordinary users without pilot training. The company confirmed 600 pre-orders across the Gulf region, its largest overseas deal to date, with buyers including UAE-based Ali & Sons Group and Qatar’s Almana Group.

Chinese Consul General Ou Boqian called the event a “milestone in innovation cooperation” between China and the UAE, while Aridge’s leadership pointed to Dubai’s openness and advanced infrastructure as key reasons for choosing the city.

The company plans to officially launch its flying cars in the regional market by 2027, aiming to make low-altitude mobility accessible to consumers.