Strengthening Qatar’s position as a leading regional center in adopting advanced air transport solutions
Adopting advanced artificial intelligence and navigation technologies to ensure the highest safety standards
Evaluate the results and develop regulatory frameworks for the future operation of the service and its integration with the transportation network
The journey takes only 5 minutes compared to 30 minutes via traditional routes
Yesterday, the Ministry of Transportation carried out a trial of a self-driving electric air taxi in the State of Qatar, in a qualitative step that embodies the state’s vision of adopting sustainable and smart transportation solutions, as part of a series of technical and applied tests supervised by the Ministry to assess the readiness of this type of technology for future use. This is under the patronage and presence of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Thani, Minister of Transportation.
The experiment took place with the air taxi departing from the old port of Doha, heading to the Cultural Village (Katara), where the flight was completed successfully without any direct human intervention, using an integrated autonomous control system based on artificial intelligence and advanced air navigation technologies, which reflects the system’s ability to make optimal use of airspace within a safe operating environment.
The Ministry of Transportation will continue to evaluate the results of the experiment and develop the necessary regulatory and technical frameworks to approve and operate this type of transportation, in a manner consistent with international standards and enhancing Qatar’s position as a leading global center in adopting smart and sustainable technologies.
The self-driving electric air taxi project will be implemented in several successive stages, each of which will take into account the relevant technical, operational and regulatory requirements, including infrastructure readiness, approval of operational systems, and meeting safety, security and quality standards. This ensures the integration of this new system into the national transportation network in an organized, safe and efficient manner.
Enhancing regional and global leadership
On this occasion, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Thani, Minister of Transport, said: “The launch of this experiment constitutes a new achievement added to the State of Qatar’s journey in adopting smart and sustainable transportation solutions, and represents an advanced step towards a future that depends on innovation and environmentally friendly technologies, which confirms the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing Qatar’s regional and global leadership in the fields of modern transportation, and supporting national efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve the quality of life.”
His Excellency added: “This initiative represents a practical translation of the Ministry’s strategy (2025-2030), which aims to build a smart and flexible transportation system based on sustainability, innovation and integration between different modes of transportation, in a way that enhances the efficiency of the transportation system in the country, achieves the goals of the third national development strategy and implements the Qatar National Vision 2030.”
His Excellency also stressed that the Ministry will continue its efforts to enhance the position of the State of Qatar globally in the areas of applying smart and emerging technologies in the transportation sector, in partnership with leading international companies, with the aim of developing an integrated infrastructure capable of accommodating advanced means of transportation in the coming years.
Providing smart mobility options
This experiment is part of the Ministry’s initiatives to develop the public transportation system, through the use of self-driving electric air taxis as a safe, fast, and environmentally friendly means of transportation within cities, which contributes to alleviating traffic congestion and providing smart transportation options for citizens, residents, and visitors, confirming that leadership is built on the intersection of technology and governance.
Adopting modern and advanced means of transportation
On this occasion, Captain Abdul Rahman Ali Al Hammadi, responsible for the project, said that the self-driving air taxi experiment that was carried out in the Cultural Village “Katara” comes within the implementation of the Ministry of Transportation’s vision 2025-2030, which aims to adopt modern, advanced, and environmentally friendly means of transportation, most notably the flying taxi, which will connect vital areas in the State of Qatar, and provide a means of transportation that meets the needs of those seeking speed and safety.
Al Hammadi added in press statements that the advanced infrastructure possessed by the State of Qatar enhances the opportunities for using these innovative means and integrating them with the public transport system and other means of transportation.
Al Hammadi confirmed the success of the experiment, noting that work is underway to evaluate its results leading to the completion of licensing procedures and the start of operation of the service, which is expected to provide a sustainable and environmentally friendly means of transportation, capable of meeting the needs of various segments of society.
Future vision for transportation
In turn, Captain Mohammed bin Fahd Al Khater, one of those responsible for the flying taxi project, explained that this project is one of the modern means of transportation that reflects the future vision of transportation in the State of Qatar, indicating that this technology has a promising future thanks to the fast, safe and sustainable transportation solutions it provides. He pointed out that the recently implemented experiment represents an important evaluation stage for the project, after a series of preparations and preparations that continued over the past months.
Al Khater added that the success of the experiment constitutes a first step towards adopting sustainable and environmentally friendly means of transportation, in line with the Ministry of Transport’s vision 2025-2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030, which place innovation and technological development at the heart of the development of the transportation system.
Regarding the expected date for the official launch of the service, Al Khater confirmed that the project is still in the experimental stage, and requires more time to complete technical and logistical preparations, in addition to issuing the necessary licenses from the concerned authorities such as the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Interior, and others.
Regarding the feasibility of the project, Al Khater stressed that the air taxi represents a qualitative addition to the development of the transportation sector in the State of Qatar. It also enhances the country’s tourism attractiveness and reflects a positive image of the level of development reached by public transportation. He pointed out that the initial service stations will be concentrated in vital areas such as Hamad International Airport, the old Doha Port, and a number of other tourist destinations and sites.
Developing an integrated, safe and effective air transport system
Victoria Jin Song, representative of EHang, the world leader in the manufacture of self-driving aircraft of the eVTOL type, said that the company is currently working with the Qatari government, represented by the Ministry of Transportation, to develop an integrated, safe and efficient system for advanced air mobility, in a way that enhances the position of the State of Qatar as one of the leading countries regionally and globally in this promising sector.
Victoria explained to Al-Arab that the company, which has operational experience in more than 20 countries, sees the project in Qatar as one of its most important strategic projects in the region, given the supportive environment and clear government efforts to adopt the latest technologies in the field of future air transport.
She added that “EHang” is considered one of the advanced global companies in the manufacture of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft designated for transporting passengers, noting that the experiment carried out yesterday for the rapid air transport service between the old Doha Port and the city center in the cultural district “Katara” demonstrated the success and efficiency of this new model of transport, as the trip takes only five minutes compared to about thirty minutes by car.
Regarding the future of the service in Qatar, Victoria confirmed that the company is working closely with the Ministry of Transportation and the competent civil aviation authorities to accelerate the necessary steps to move to official operation, adding: “We hope for our part to begin commercial operation within the next six months, but this is linked to the completion of all regulatory requirements. We are working day and night with the concerned authorities to make this project a reality that serves the public as soon as possible.”
EHang is known for developing self-driving taxi aircraft, and has official approvals to operate its services in China. It has also provided aircraft such as the VT35 that can fly long distances on a single charge.