News

Meet The AltoVolo Sigma: A 1,608HP Personal eVTOL Jet

With 4x the range of its rivals and a footprint small enough to land on a driveway, the AltoVolo Sigma brings private aviation closer to daily life.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 9, 2025

Nour Nasir

AltoVolo

A new era in personal air travel has arrived with the launch of AltoVolo’s Sigma, a hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft that combines runway-free convenience with regional jet performance. Featuring 1,608 horsepower and a sleek, sculptural frame, Sigma is designed for high-speed, long-range, and ultra-quiet personal flight — potentially transforming both the eVTOL and helicopter markets.

Equipped with a patent-pending tilting jet propulsion system, the Sigma boasts a 500-mile range, a cruise speed of 220mph, and noise levels over 80% lower than traditional helicopters, making it ideal for use in residential areas. Its hybrid design draws on the burst power of electric batteries for take-off and liquid fuel for extended cruising, sidestepping the limitations of current all-electric VTOLs.

At just 4.8 meters wide and weighing 980 kg fully loaded with three passengers, the Sigma can land on driveways, rooftops, or yachts — no airport required. Safety is central to the design, which includes redundant jet operation and a ballistic parachute system.

altovolo sigma interior

“The Sigma is a statement of intent,” said Will Wood, AltoVolo’s founder and CEO. “We’re not just building a flying machine — we’re building the fastest point-to-point transport system, reimagining how we live and travel”.

AltoVolo is taking a lean-startup approach and aiming for rapid time-to-market, with full-scale demonstrator production underway after successful prototype tests. Its design and engineering have been validated by Dr. Richard E. Brown of Sophrodyne Aerospace, and its autonomous flight systems are supplied by Embention, known for powering Amazon Prime Air’s drones. Simulation support comes from Ansys, which also works with Formula 1 teams.

Also Read: Expo City Dubai And Yango Group Launch Autonomous Food Delivery

Unlike many competitors focused on short, intra-city flights, AltoVolo is targeting both urban and regional air mobility. The Sigma is pitched as a tool of independence for those who value time, privacy, and the freedom to travel on their own terms — no airport terminals, no congestion, no schedules.

Reservations for the launch edition open in July, with priority given to early qualifying customers.

News

UAE’s Etihad Rail Launches In 2026 — What You Need To Know

A 1,200 km passenger network will transform public transport, with 11 connected cities, and high-speed trains cutting inter-emirate travel times.

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2025

Nour Nasir

Etihad Rail

Etihad Rail has confirmed that its long-anticipated passenger train service will officially launch in 2026, ushering in a new era of high-speed, inter-emirate travel. The UAE’s national railway developer shared the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), as work continues on a 1,200 km passenger network set to connect 11 cities across all seven emirates.

The news marks a major leap in public transportation for the country, with passenger trains designed to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h. Travel times will be significantly reduced — Abu Dhabi to Dubai is expected to take just under an hour, while the journey to Fujairah will be cut to around 105 minutes. A separate high-speed line, capable of reaching 350 km/h, is also in the works to link Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes.

The backbone of the network was completed in 2023, when Etihad Rail launched its 900 km freight service linking key industrial and logistics hubs across the UAE, including ports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah. Now, the focus has shifted to passenger infrastructure.

The first station will be located in Sakamkam, Fujairah city centre, and a second is confirmed near University City in Sharjah. Dubai’s main station is expected to be adjacent to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, while Abu Dhabi’s is anticipated along the corridor separating Mussafah Industrial Area and Mohammed Bin Zayed City.

Also Read: UGREEN Nexode Pro Review: Portable Yet Powerful Chargers

Once completed, the passenger network will link cities including Al Sila, Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Integration with Oman is also part of the long-term vision. A new cross-border project — Hafeet Rail — will span 303 km between Sohar and Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba area. Developed by Etihad Rail in collaboration with Oman Rail and Mubadala, the link is expected to deepen trade and tourism ties between the two countries.

Etihad Rail’s passenger trains will carry up to 400 passengers each and feature Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, charging points, and onboard food and beverage options to ensure a comfortable experience. To further simplify access, passengers will be able to pay with their nol cards, thanks to a partnership between Etihad Rail and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The collaboration aims to integrate fare payments and booking systems under one unified platform.