Saudi Arabia plans to launch air taxis to transport Hajj and Umrah pilgrims from King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah to hotels in Makkah, Saudi Press Agency announced on Saturday.
Flying taxis to become an everyday reality for Neom residents
According to officials, the logistics will handled by Saudia, the kingdom's national airline.
Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Transport, last year said flying taxis would be tested during Hajj in the coming years.
The air taxis will “run very soon” but not this year, officials told The National.
Neom and Volocopter last year announced they had successfully run a series of air taxi test flights in Neom.
The electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is reportedly the same one to be used during Hajj.
Abdulaziz Al Duailej, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation president, said the successful test flight was “a milestone in the Saudi aviation sector” as the aviation industry uses emerging technology to further contribute to the country’s GDP and create more jobs in the kingdom.
Last year, Saudi Arabia received almost 2 million Hajj pilgrims, a return to pre-Covid numbers.
Tawfiq Al Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah, said the numbers of Umrah pilgrims reached a record 13.5 million last year.
More than 750,000 Hajj pilgrims used the Haramain High-Speed Railway during last year's Hajj season.
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Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
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- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
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- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
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Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
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SPECS
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Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
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Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
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UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
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Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Tomorrow 2021
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
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Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
