Logistics group Aramex Emirates is evaluating plans to deploy a pair of hybrid-electric aircraft being developed by Odys Aviation for cargo flights in the UAE and Oman. A letter of intent signed on January 9 could pave the way for possible sales of the U.S. company’s Laila uncrewed air vehicle and the larger VTOL aircraft that Odys is now calling the Alta.
Depending on progress made under the partnership, Dubai-based Aramex could start operations with the Laila UAV, which has a 130-pound payload and a projected range of 450 miles. Odys has already flown a full-scale example of this model and aims to start series production in 2026, after rolling out a prototype this year.
With a 22-foot wingspan, Laila features a scaled-down version of the hybrid-electric propulsion system Odys plans to use for Alta, which is primarily intended as a nine-passenger regional airliner. It also employs the company’s patented flap-based thrust vectoring system for lift and blown wing architecture.
Odys, which is preparing to launch a Series A funding round, now anticipates that it can complete type certification of Alta in 2028. The aircraft will have a range of 750 miles, or 200 miles if using only electric propulsion, and a cruise speed of 345 mph.
Aramex will now work with Odys to define possible routes and concepts of operations for both aircraft in the Gulf region and hopes to firm up commercial arrangements once approvals have been secured from the local regulator. Part of the attraction for the logistics group is the potential to reduce carbon emissions from cargo flights by up to 76 percent, depending on whether the turbogenerator runs on sustainable aviation fuel or existing jet-A supplies.
The agreement reached at the end of the recent COP28 climate change conference hosted by Dubai is expected to advance cooperation under the UAE-U.S. Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy, which was signed in November 2022. This could provide the platform for implementing decarbonization projects valued at approximately $100 billion by 2035.
Aramex has already made some use of drones and robotic technology for its various logistics services and is now looking for greener alternatives to ships and trucks. “VTOL cargo aircraft will provide us with the operational edge for our business-to-business and business-to-consumer middle-mile [services],” said Angad Singh, the company’s global director for innovation.
“Building on our announcement earlier in 2023 that Odys has partnered with the UAE Ministry of Economy’s NextGen FDI program, we are excited to be able to continue our momentum in the region and are looking forward to leading the development of the sustainable, low-carbon aviation sector in the UAE, Oman, and other Gulf states,” commented Odys co-founder and CEO James Dorris. The NextGen FDI technology investment program was launched in July 2022 with partners including several leading Gulf banks, the Dubai South airport and free-zone business park group, and Dubai Internet City.
Last year, Aramex and the Emirates Postal Group signed letters of intent with Dronamics covering possible purchases of its Black Swan UAV for logistics operations. Express delivery group UPS is already evaluating the use of Beta Technologies' Alia eVTOL aircraft for cargo services in the UAE.
