Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: SALAAM.earth announced launching its first Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) test site in Saudi Arabia, with operations scheduled to begin in Q1 2026 in Riyadh. As per a recent press release, the site will function as a controlled real-world sandbox to validate AAM aircraft operations alongside critical supporting systems, including vertiports, digital air traffic management, and secure communications. The goal is to assess how next-generation electric air mobility platforms can be safely integrated into urban environments.

The first aircraft to be tested will be the FlyNow eCopter, an electric unmanned air taxi developed by FlyNow Aviation GmbH, capable of flying up to 50 kilometers at speeds of 130 km/h and carrying two passengers or up to 200 kilograms of cargo.

The test program will evaluate multiple use cases, including urban passenger transport, logistics, and emergency response applications such as firefighting and medical evacuation.

The sandbox initiative was launched by FlyNow Arabia Ltd., a Saudi-headquartered firm established to localize the production, deployment, and commercialization of the eCopter in the Kingdom.

As the first operational implementation of the SALAAM.earth framework in Saudi Arabia, the project brings together several ecosystem partners. Skyroads will provide automated flight coordination, Unified Aviation will deliver vertiport solutions, Quadron will support safety-critical cybersecurity systems, Makonis will handle system integration, and EME-Aviation will oversee aviation operations and project coordination. Verification and compliance will be supported by the International Advanced Air Mobility Trust.

On this occasion, Yvonne Winter, President of SALAAM.earth, said the initiative aims to establish a complete testing environment where next-generation aircraft from multiple developers can be integrated into real-world infrastructure.