According to www.agbi.com, Abu Dhabi-based LODD Autonomous will conduct a cross-border cargo drone test flight from the UAE to a neighbouring country in 2026.
First Cross-Border eVTOL Cargo Trial
The flight will serve as a pilot test for LODD Autonomous’s Hili hybrid electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. CEO Rashid Matar Al Manai confirmed the plan to the UAE state-run Wam news agency. The destination country was not disclosed, but the trial is scheduled for next year — specifically within 2026.
The company continues flight testing in Al Ain and is preparing to submit its final certification application to UAE aviation authorities. This effort aligns with the UAE’s broader leadership in autonomous air mobility across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
In July 2026, the UAE civil aviation regulator approved eVTOL operations from Dubai’s purpose-built commercial vertiport — a milestone that preceded this upcoming cross-border test.
Hili Aircraft Specifications and Order Volume
LODD Autonomous unveiled the Hili aircraft in September 2025. According to CEO Rashid Matar Al Manai, the company has received more than 330 orders for the aircraft from local and international customers.
Overseas orders account for more than 70 percent of the total. Founded in Abu Dhabi in 2023, LODD Autonomous focuses on autonomous systems for middle-mile cargo logistics.
The Hili is designed to carry payloads of up to 250kg over distances of approximately 700km. Its hybrid electric propulsion supports extended-range cargo delivery without requiring infrastructure-heavy ground networks.
Broader UAE Aviation Infrastructure Momentum
The cross-border drone test follows rapid progress in UAE vertiport development. In November 2025, Abu Dhabi confirmed Zayed International Airport and Al Bateen Executive Airport as the first two of 10 planned vertiport locations across the emirate.
Meanwhile, Joby Aviation, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, plans to launch an air taxi service in Dubai this year. That initiative complements the UAE’s goal — cited in related AGBI reporting — to achieve 70% drone delivery coverage in Dubai by 2030.
Source: agbi.com
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
