![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BXEDYLYTHZCD3GLHUCTQPAAVIQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=77d90bcd7f1dd5bb73fc555d10924478c910d0807130b6b39517ba6cc1174c9f&width=400&height=225)
James Dorris, chief executive of Odys Aviation and Alaa Saoudi, Aramex’s chief operating officer for express, seated, with Vincent Frascogna, vice president of business development at Odys, and Angad Singh, global director of innovation at Aramex at the launch of the agreement. Photo: Aramex
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QIOD6THRVJFBVNKG6XO3NTTTVA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ae4fe79b99f6244d4f331abed1d24a819ccb6412d1404687a3fa2a7d6c75bb76&width=400&height=225)
Odys Aviation says the passenger version of the Alta aircraft, which will have a pilot, could be ready for operations in 2028. All photos: Odys Aviation, except where indicated
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3JM7DX4MLVDANDGTN5CBEAQNN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=239982a0d75cd7daa2e1b65f65a81d99a1f78ed4b1035fc2f7ba7c7f1ab61054&width=400&height=225)
With its hybrid-electric propulsion systems, the 1,200km range of its Alta aircraft gives Odys Aviation a distinct advantage
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4AVSMKA34BC2DBDRR6IAUM6SGE.jpg?smart=true&auth=a117ce9b8d45f4be6c45a7a5223453ef6064ada49a64a12dc536ae532eea6261&width=400&height=225)
The Alta aircraft can use vertiports in cities
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZAO2RQFKZBFQBIQK43ONQQXLUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=b1344c55f89ce86bc21d1e333bba805f3056d6148cd2c5b724ebde11dbe8ccb1&width=400&height=225)
Odys Aviation and Aramex announced a partnership to develop cargo operations in the United Arab Emirates and Oman
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3XDFDQPPQVBN3MX4RVOEPAGWQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=fe82aa5d19b3bd631f3993913e5e1f445f63a152553b57ee0e203284fe291288&width=400&height=225)
The Laila aircraft, with a list price of about $1.5 million, has a wingspan of about 6.5m and will be capable of carrying between 45 and 60kg
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A5GQC3XATBCZHM72EJWJNVLTII.jpg?smart=true&auth=a0951f57eb28813d0e94f910049f65d1eb814cdd3a5206b323884c61aa5bad6e&width=400&height=225)
Odys Aviation Alta aircraft is being developed for unmanned cargo operations with the Middle East's biggest courier company, Aramex, and is expected to be ready by 2027
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UPYQTQUQGRDBBLFMERBC4V2F64.png?smart=true&auth=f8e443e136510d1cf25f8785c015c9418b4e313a96530061fb5c8e59316271c8&width=400&height=225)
James Dorris, chief executive of Odys Aviation, said the Alta aircraft will be able to operate vertiport-to-vertiport flights between cities such as Dubai and Riyadh, one of the busiest routes in world aviation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BXEDYLYTHZCD3GLHUCTQPAAVIQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=77d90bcd7f1dd5bb73fc555d10924478c910d0807130b6b39517ba6cc1174c9f&width=400&height=225)
James Dorris, chief executive of Odys Aviation and Alaa Saoudi, Aramex’s chief operating officer for express, seated, with Vincent Frascogna, vice president of business development at Odys, and Angad Singh, global director of innovation at Aramex at the launch of the agreement. Photo: Aramex
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QIOD6THRVJFBVNKG6XO3NTTTVA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ae4fe79b99f6244d4f331abed1d24a819ccb6412d1404687a3fa2a7d6c75bb76&width=400&height=225)
Odys Aviation says the passenger version of the Alta aircraft, which will have a pilot, could be ready for operations in 2028. All photos: Odys Aviation, except where indicated
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3JM7DX4MLVDANDGTN5CBEAQNN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=239982a0d75cd7daa2e1b65f65a81d99a1f78ed4b1035fc2f7ba7c7f1ab61054&width=400&height=225)
With its hybrid-electric propulsion systems, the 1,200km range of its Alta aircraft gives Odys Aviation a distinct advantage
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4AVSMKA34BC2DBDRR6IAUM6SGE.jpg?smart=true&auth=a117ce9b8d45f4be6c45a7a5223453ef6064ada49a64a12dc536ae532eea6261&width=400&height=225)
The Alta aircraft can use vertiports in cities
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZAO2RQFKZBFQBIQK43ONQQXLUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=b1344c55f89ce86bc21d1e333bba805f3056d6148cd2c5b724ebde11dbe8ccb1&width=400&height=225)
Odys Aviation and Aramex announced a partnership to develop cargo operations in the United Arab Emirates and Oman
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3XDFDQPPQVBN3MX4RVOEPAGWQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=fe82aa5d19b3bd631f3993913e5e1f445f63a152553b57ee0e203284fe291288&width=400&height=225)
The Laila aircraft, with a list price of about $1.5 million, has a wingspan of about 6.5m and will be capable of carrying between 45 and 60kg
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A5GQC3XATBCZHM72EJWJNVLTII.jpg?smart=true&auth=a0951f57eb28813d0e94f910049f65d1eb814cdd3a5206b323884c61aa5bad6e&width=400&height=225)
Odys Aviation Alta aircraft is being developed for unmanned cargo operations with the Middle East's biggest courier company, Aramex, and is expected to be ready by 2027
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UPYQTQUQGRDBBLFMERBC4V2F64.png?smart=true&auth=f8e443e136510d1cf25f8785c015c9418b4e313a96530061fb5c8e59316271c8&width=400&height=225)
James Dorris, chief executive of Odys Aviation, said the Alta aircraft will be able to operate vertiport-to-vertiport flights between cities such as Dubai and Riyadh, one of the busiest routes in world aviation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BXEDYLYTHZCD3GLHUCTQPAAVIQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=77d90bcd7f1dd5bb73fc555d10924478c910d0807130b6b39517ba6cc1174c9f&width=400&height=225)
James Dorris, chief executive of Odys Aviation and Alaa Saoudi, Aramex’s chief operating officer for express, seated, with Vincent Frascogna, vice president of business development at Odys, and Angad Singh, global director of innovation at Aramex at the launch of the agreement. Photo: Aramex
US flying taxi manufacturer predicts passengers in Gulf skies by 2028
Odys Aviation is also developing unmanned cargo aircraft with Aramex
![Neil Halligan](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F9788586c-d714-4739-883a-faccdf34de85.png?smart=true&auth=e888c745be1f4f071de8aa9cbc90c5e4930b057736f65ee79da808bac1341543&width=70&height=70)
Neil Halligan
11 February, 2024
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