DUBAI: Forget traffic jams and endless commutes – Sharjah has just showcased a car that flies!
The PAL-V Liberty, dubbed the world’s first real flying car, can cruise from Abu Dhabi to Muscat in just 2 hours and 20 minutes.
This Dutch innovation was displayed at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), catching eyes and stirring conversations around what could soon be a new mode of everyday travel across the UAE.
This three-wheeled marvel is both road-legal and air-certified, designed to transition from a vehicle to a gyroplane in just under three minutes.
With growing interest from the region, including a major order by Dubai-based Aviterra, the Liberty is positioning itself as more than a concept – it’s poised to become a staple in the UAE’s futuristic transport strategy.
PAL-V Liberty
The PAL-V Liberty, which retails for Dh2.94 million (€800,000), is a two-seater vehicle with a 500-km flight range and a maximum airspeed of 180 km/h. Unlike vertical take-off aircraft, it requires a 200-metre airstrip for lift-off and 30 metres for landing. Its hybrid road-air design is the result of years of engineering since 2008, relying solely on proven technologies to avoid regulatory bottlenecks.
Liberty drivers will need both a standard driver’s licence and a gyroplane licence, with the PAL-V Institute already planning multiple global training centres. The company has also achieved key milestones such as passing the EU’s road certification in 2020, and it recently received a “No Technical Objection” (NTO) certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) – an industry first in the FlyDrive space.
Sharjah assembly talks
Sharjah’s SRTIP is in early discussions with PAL-V to host an assembly line for the Liberty. Juma Alhaj, Director of Communications Strategy and Marketing, noted that the park serves as a conduit connecting academia, government, and industry to advance innovation and economic growth. The plan is to leverage local universities for R&D while fostering talent for advanced air mobility.
“We act as a conduit,” said Alhaj, “connecting potential buyers, researchers, and government stakeholders to explore how this technology can be applied across sectors.” While the agreement is not yet finalised, the vision is clear: establish a regional hub for production, testing, and innovation in flying vehicles.
CEO Robert Dingemanse echoed this enthusiasm, stating, “The UAE is a very good hub in general… especially Sharjah, where there’s existing cooperation with Dutch companies and a strong tech ecosystem.” He added that having access to skilled human capital is critical for building a fully functional assembly line in the region.
AIM Congress 2025
The Liberty’s debut at the AIM Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi marked its first major public appearance in the region. As part of the Future Cities Portfolio, the vehicle stood out as a leading example of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). The event drew over 20,000 global participants and highlighted the Liberty’s potential for revolutionising intercity and emergency transport.
Robert Dingemanse said, “The UAE’s forward-thinking approach to AAM makes it an ideal platform for FlyDrive vehicles. With the Liberty, we’re offering governments, professionals, and individuals a practical, dual-use solution.”
Dubai and Abu Dhabi, already global leaders in autonomous and sustainable mobility, have been actively developing regulatory frameworks to support electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technologies – now complemented by the Liberty’s unique road-air capabilities.
Expansion in Middle East
The Middle East is not just a showcase market – it’s also a major buyer. Dubai-based Aviterra placed a landmark order for over 100 Liberty vehicles for the Middle East and Africa. The company, led by a co-founder of Jetex, aims to use the FlyDrive vehicles for VIP transport, emergency logistics, and regional travel.
Aviterra Managing Director Mouhanad Wadaa described the vehicle as “a perfect tool for our customers’ regional travel requirements, offering a combination of flying and driving.” Wadaa added that PAL-V’s compliance with existing air and road rules allows users to seamlessly FlyDrive using current infrastructure.
The current PAL-V order book is valued between €150 to €200 million, with 20 to 30 percent of that originating from the Middle East. This significant interest validates the Liberty’s promise as a functional and regulatory-ready flying car.
Real-world applications
According to the company, use-case scenarios for the PAL-V Liberty range from military and policing roles to first responder missions and cargo logistics. Organisations such as Aramex are exploring its potential for last-mile delivery, including the transport of medical equipment. The vehicle’s ability to land and take off from short airstrips opens up access to remote areas that helicopters and conventional vehicles cannot reach.
Other potential users include coast guards, VIP taxi services (like Kuwait Airways), peacekeeping forces, and homeland security agencies. Its unique hybrid nature offers flexibility and rapid response advantages, making it viable for both civilian and government deployments.
FlyDrive future in UAE
As PAL-V eyes regional certification from aviation authorities like the UAE’s GCAA and Saudi Arabia’s GACA, its ambitions are taking flight – literally and figuratively. The company is also exploring regional office setups for sales, maintenance, and flight training across the GCC.
While full-scale commercial deployment is slated for 2027, the UAE’s readiness and enthusiasm suggest that the Liberty could be part of daily life even sooner. With regulatory support and strategic partnerships in motion, the skies above the UAE may soon be filled with the quiet whirr of flying cars navigating past gridlock – ushering in a new era of urban mobility.