Vertical Aerospace has entered into a strategic three-party Memorandum of Understanding with the AHQ Group and the Saudi National Industrial Development Centre to accelerate the development of Advanced Air Mobility in Saudi Arabia.
The agreement establishes a framework to explore a long-term Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem aligned with Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s national program for economic diversification. The partnership makes Vertical what is believed to be the only electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) original equipment manufacturer actively assessing both in-country manufacturing and investment opportunities with a Saudi Ministerial body.
Under the terms of the MoU, the parties will evaluate opportunities spanning manufacturing localization, commercial eVTOL operations, and potential investment incentives. Saudi Arabia is identified as one of the largest emerging markets for AAM globally, with the potential to support the operation of more than 1,000 Valo aircraft.
The Valo is engineered specifically for high-demand environments, featuring advanced thermal management systems and the ability to operate in temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius. The aircraft is designed to fly up to 160km at speeds of 240 km/h with zero operating emissions, meeting rigorous safety standards under UK Civil Aviation Authority and European Union Aviation Safety Agency requirements. Vertical is also developing a hybrid-electric variant to offer increased range and mission flexibility.
As a leading Saudi industrial conglomerate, AHQ Group will support the evaluation of industrial and commercial structures required to establish a sustainable ecosystem. Together with the NIDC, which is part of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, the partners will explore how the Kingdom can become a regional hub for electric aircraft manufacturing and battery systems.
Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said, “Saudi Arabia is one of the most strategically important future markets for Advanced Air Mobility. Signing this MoU here in Riyadh reflects the Kingdom’s ambition to build a world-class aerospace industrial capability under Vision 2030. Partnering with AHQ Group and NIDC brings together deep industrial expertise, capital strength and a shared commitment to establishing Saudi Arabia as a regional leader in this new sector.”
Chairman Tariq Abdel Hadi Al-Qahtani, AHQ Group, stated, “Advanced Air Mobility represents a new frontier for Saudi Arabia’s industrial and mobility ambitions. Through this MoU with Vertical Aerospace and NIDC, we are exploring potential investment opportunities to build a scalable, globally competitive AAM ecosystem that combines advanced manufacturing, sustainable mobility and long-term economic value. AHQ Group brings deep industrial experience and local insight, and we see this partnership as an important step in supporting Vision 2030’s goals for diversification, innovation and high-quality job creation.”
Eng Saleh Al Solami, CEO of the National Industrial Development Centre (NIDC), added, “This MoU reflects NIDC’s mandate to enable advanced industries and attract high-value manufacturing to the Kingdom. Advanced Air Mobility has the potential to become a strategic industrial sector for Saudi Arabia, spanning aircraft manufacturing, battery systems and future mobility services. Working with Vertical Aerospace and AHQ Group allows us to assess potential pathways for localisation, investment and incentives, positioning the Kingdom as a regional hub for next-generation aerospace technologies in line with Vision 2030.”
