Overview
- The Nov. 13 flight occurred at LODD’s Emirates Falcon Aviation site in Al Ain during Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, with attendance from senior officials including Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
- LODD says Hili can carry up to 250 kilograms over nearly 700 kilometres using a modular hybrid-electric propulsion system.
- New agreements were signed at the event with Skyports Drone Services and ST Engineering, adding to earlier tie-ups with Etihad Cargo and EMX.
- The company outlines a roughly six-month flight-test campaign followed by about a year of initial operating trials, with UAE GCAA certification potentially taking up to almost two years.
- Hili is aimed at middle-mile cargo operations and target markets in Africa, Asia and Europe, with future operations envisioned to use AI for multi-aircraft supervision and integrated ground handling.