MAKKAH: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Board of Directors of General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser launched the self-driving air taxi trial at the holy sites, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The event witnessed by GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, involved the vertical take-off of the electric air taxi, the SPA added. The air taxi services entail transporting Hajj pilgrims between the holy sites, facilitating emergency travel, transporting medical equipment, and also providing logistical services for the transportation of goods.
Al-Jasser said that this step is part of the ministry’s endeavor to adopt cutting-edge transportation technologies and environment-friendly transportation models powered by artificial intelligence (AI). These latest innovations support the sustainability of the modern transportation field and align with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, the SPA added.
Al-Duailej stated that the use of its modes, including the air taxi, reduces passenger travel time in congested areas, especially in emergencies, facilitates the transportation of goods and medical supplies, and speeds up surveillance and inspection assignments through drones.
