Falcon Aviation Services Orders 50 AutoFlight eVTOL Aircraft

Falcon Aviation Services has ordered 50 AutoFlight eVTOL aircraft, including 15 cargo and 35 passenger variants, for use in the UAE. The first batch of aircraft is set to be delivered from China by year-end and will be used to support the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

Alongside 35 units of the AutoFlight V2000EM Prosperity passenger aircraft, 15 V2000CG CarryAll cargo variants will benefit an area seemingly underserved by eVTOL commitments to date: oil and gas support missions. Once in service with Falcon Aviation, these will augment the company’s dedicated fleet of 19 rotary-wing aircraft in the UAE and Kuwait.

With Falcon Aviation serving as the primary aviation services provider for ADNOC’s offshore operations, typical use cases will include the transportation of emergency supplies, resupply flights, and the delivery of equipment parts and tools between oil extraction sites and logistics centers.

The Chinese eVTOL startup’s uncrewed, two-ton CarryAll has a maximum takeoff weight of 2,000 kilograms (4,400 pounds) and can carry up to 400 kilograms (880 pounds) with a range of 250 kilometers (135 nm). It obtained a type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in March 2024, becoming the world’s inaugural ton-class eVTOL to achieve certification.

The CarryAll’s suitability for offshore supply missions was demonstrated during a 58-minute transoceanic test flight in August. This 150-kilometer (81 nm) demonstration was achieved in partnership with China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and CITIC Offshore Helicopters.

Although the crewed aircraft is still currently undergoing verification testing, Falcon Aviation intends to use the four-passenger variant to “support commuting and inter-base travel or oil platform personnel.” The company is also partnering with the UAE government to help develop the Abu Dhabi Hybrid Vertical Landing vertiport network.