China’s CoolFly has staged the first demonstration of a manned electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the Maldives, flying its single-seat Dream ST model in the channel area of Hulhumalé Phase 1.
The flights, held on Friday and Saturday, were organised jointly with the Chinese Embassy and the Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade. The ministry described eVTOL technology as “the future of aviation” and said it could support the transport of medical samples, urgent medicines, vaccines and emergency supplies between islands, as well as environmental and infrastructure monitoring.
With design modifications the aircraft could also move patients, the ministry noted. Officials said the demonstration would help authorities and businesses assess regulatory, safety, infrastructure and technical requirements for possible introduction of the technology.
An eVTOL takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter but is powered by electricity, producing less noise and fewer emissions than conventional aircraft. The Hulhumalé event marks the first public manned flight of such a vehicle in the country.
