A UNITED Arab Emirates (UAE) company plans to acquire 350 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft valued at US$1 billion from a Shanghai-based firm, marking the largest single intent order for eVTOLs for a Chinese company to date.

Autocraft, a subsidiary of Kintsugi Holding, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Shanghai TCab Technology Co., Ltd. on Wednesday.

This deal represents a major milestone for TCab Tech, a startup founded in 2021, as it positions its E20 eVTOL aircraft for diversified commercial applications — including low-altitude tourism and urban air mobility.

The E20, TCab Tech’s flagship model, is a five-seat tilt-rotor eVTOL featuring a 12-meter wingspan, a designed range of 200 kilometers, and a top speed of 320 kilometers per hour. Designed for intercity and urban transport scenarios such as tourism, commuting, and patrol, the aircraft accommodates one pilot and four passengers.

Autocraft cited TCab Tech’s advanced technology and strong safety track record as key factors in signing the partnership deal.

Originating from a connection made at last year’s China International Import Expo, this strategic collaboration will help TCab Tech better access the Middle East market.

“The global market is casting a strong vote of confidence in China’s indigenous aviation technology,” said TCab Tech founder and CEO Yon Wui Ng, the former chief engineer of Airbus China. TCab Tech specializes in tilt-rotor passenger aircraft and has overseas subsidiaries in Singapore and Malaysia.

The startup’s technical team held discussions with representatives from the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority on pathways for the E20’s airworthiness certification and other operational details aligned with UAE regulatory requirements.

According to Tareq Alahmed, vice president of the Abu Dhabi-headquartered Autocraft, the company has been actively seeking international partners with cutting-edge technology and strong delivery capabilities.

The first batch of orders is scheduled for delivery once the E20 obtains its airworthiness certification from China’s Civil Aviation Administration.

(Xinhua)