SkyGrid and KAUST Launch Advanced Air Mobility Research Partnership in Saudi Arabia
The U.S.-based AAM service provider and Saudi university sign MoU to accelerate live testing and ecosystem development under Saudi Arabia’s national aviation strategy
The U.S. advanced-air-mobility service provider SkyGrid and Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop operational research sandboxes for next-generation air transportation in the Kingdom.
The agreement was formalised during the U.S.–Saudi investment forum in Washington, D.C., coinciding with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit, as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader push to build an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem aligned with its Vision 2030 objectives.
Under the framework, SkyGrid and KAUST will jointly explore technology pathways for crewed and uncrewed aircraft operations, support regulatory readiness alongside the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), and establish live testing environments and simulated flight corridors for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), short take-off and landing (STOL) and unmanned aerial systems.
The partnership emphasises operator training, digital-twin development, resilient communications, air-space-traffic management automation and infrastructure planning to enable the Kingdom’s next-generation mobility ambition.
The MoU aligns with initiatives such as Saudi Arabia’s 2024 AAM Roadmap and other earlier memoranda involving the General Authority for Military Industries and GACA, underpinning a strategic shift from pilot-phase experiments to scalable deployment of AAM services.
Analysts cite the collaboration as a signal that Saudi Arabia remains committed to becoming a global test-bed for AAM technology and urban air mobility, leveraging low-density airspace, infrastructure investment and regulatory reform.
While significant challenges remain— including certifying new vehicle types, integrating airspace with traditional aviation and building logistics infrastructure— the partnership reflects Saudi Arabia’s determination to mobilise academic, regulatory and commercial resources in concert.
Through KAUST’s research strength and SkyGrid’s high-assurance digital air-space integration expertise, the Kingdom hopes to accelerate the establishment of a safe, efficient and innovative aerial mobility ecosystem for both passengers and cargo.
The partnership represents a concrete step forward in Saudi Arabia’s scheme to integrate AAM into its cities and transport networks and further positions the country as an early mover in the global urban-air-mobility race.
The agreement was formalised during the U.S.–Saudi investment forum in Washington, D.C., coinciding with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit, as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader push to build an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem aligned with its Vision 2030 objectives.
Under the framework, SkyGrid and KAUST will jointly explore technology pathways for crewed and uncrewed aircraft operations, support regulatory readiness alongside the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), and establish live testing environments and simulated flight corridors for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), short take-off and landing (STOL) and unmanned aerial systems.
The partnership emphasises operator training, digital-twin development, resilient communications, air-space-traffic management automation and infrastructure planning to enable the Kingdom’s next-generation mobility ambition.
The MoU aligns with initiatives such as Saudi Arabia’s 2024 AAM Roadmap and other earlier memoranda involving the General Authority for Military Industries and GACA, underpinning a strategic shift from pilot-phase experiments to scalable deployment of AAM services.
Analysts cite the collaboration as a signal that Saudi Arabia remains committed to becoming a global test-bed for AAM technology and urban air mobility, leveraging low-density airspace, infrastructure investment and regulatory reform.
While significant challenges remain— including certifying new vehicle types, integrating airspace with traditional aviation and building logistics infrastructure— the partnership reflects Saudi Arabia’s determination to mobilise academic, regulatory and commercial resources in concert.
Through KAUST’s research strength and SkyGrid’s high-assurance digital air-space integration expertise, the Kingdom hopes to accelerate the establishment of a safe, efficient and innovative aerial mobility ecosystem for both passengers and cargo.
The partnership represents a concrete step forward in Saudi Arabia’s scheme to integrate AAM into its cities and transport networks and further positions the country as an early mover in the global urban-air-mobility race.
