UAE has many modes of transport that make travel easier for residents in the nation. Whether it’s by road through well-maintained public modes of transport, such as buses or through the marine transport that glides through the UAE water, there are a multitude of options. However, at the ongoing World Governments Summit, that’s happening in Dubai, it was revealed that soon the country could get a new mode of transport as early as next year! We are talking about a Seaglider, which is an all-electric, wing-in-ground-effect that operates dock-to-dock. The best bit? It operates over water routes!
Are Seagliders Coming To The UAE Soon?
The face of travel might just change in the UAE as soon, as another futuristic vehicle could be added to UAE’s transportation network. According to a promise made by the Founder and CEO of Regent Craft, Billy Thalheimer, Seagliders operate in three modes – float, foil, and fly. Yes, the company is planning to add this futuristic vehicle to the UAE’s transportation network and if all of this goes well, you might get to travel on these high-speed vehicles, as early as next year.
Talking about Seagliders, it combines the speed of an aircraft and the operating cost and accessibilities of a boat. As a result, it is expected to be cheaper than even a taxi! However, it’s worth mentioning that the prototype will be available on the water quite soon and it is going to be tested in the air this summer. In fact, the product vehicle is expected to be delivered in late 2026 or early 2027 as revealed by Khaleej Times in its report.
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How Will It Change The Face Of Travel?
It’s worth mentioning that these vehicles can operate on service routes up to 300 km with the existing battery technology. But it does have the potential to serve up to 800 km, once the next-generation batteries are available. The best bit? It is as fast as a chartered helicopter and the cost is cheaper than the taxi fare. Yes, as revealed in the same report, passengers who take the ride on the 12-seat Seagliders, would have to pay just AED165 or $45 for a trip between Abu Dhabi Marina and Dubai Marina.
Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? Well, the Seagliders fly over open water and use a phenomenon called ground effect. Another major update regarding this is the fact that the UAE will play a key role in the development of Seagliders. With local support and investment, it will help in global operations expansion. This comes after the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and Regent signed an MoU during the DRIFTx.
So, if all of these things align perfectly, you might just get to take a ride and reach the places you want to in just a matter of minutes without paying too much.
Cover Image Courtesy: X/regentcraft