Odys Aviation and MWASALAT Announce Partnership to Develop Aerial Logistics Programs in the GCC in 2025 by Operating Odys’ Hybrid-Electric VTOL Aircraft, Laila
17 July 2024 - 7:51PM
Business Wire
Odys Aviation, a sustainable aviation company building
hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and
MWASALAT, the Omani National Transport Company, today announced
that they will collaborate on the development of programs in Oman
for 25 of Odys’ Laila uncrewed aircraft, with the intention of
first launching pilot programs on unpopulated and defined routes
with pre-production aircraft in 2025. Laila is a hybrid-electric
VTOL aircraft designed in multiple configurations for cargo and
capable of transporting payloads up to 60kg with a 400 km range.
Missions operated via these aircraft provide a low-carbon air cargo
alternative for routes across Oman, opening up opportunities that
have previously been time-consuming or inaccessible because of
infrastructure and geographical challenges.
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Bader AlNadabi, CEO of MWASALAT and Moosa
Al Balushi, Regional Director Business Development for Odys
Aviation (Photo: Business Wire)
Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will work
together to undertake joint research and development activities to
define target routes and services using Odys Aviation’s
pre-production aircraft, leveraging the existing relationship and
formal engagement Odys has with Oman’s CAA, with a view to
establishing new aerial logistics networks with Odys’ Laila
aircraft upon receiving full regulatory approval. The partnership
also focuses on enhancing the functionality and defining the
applications of Odys Aviation’s Laila aircraft in the GCC.
Beyond identifying applications, the two organizations will
collaborate to develop concepts of operations that will define
aircraft maintenance operations and regulatory compliance for the
aircraft in service. During pilot operations, MWASALAT will
facilitate use of these aircraft for entities including Oman Post
and Asyad Group for logistics operations. In the long-term, it is
anticipated that Odys Aviation’s aircraft will support MWASALAT
with further applications for various sectors including passenger
transportation, oil and gas services, security, tourism, health
services and civil defense.
“MWASALAT is excited to be partnering with Odys Aviation to
pioneer the future of sustainable air mobility in Oman using their
innovative hybrid vertical takeoff and landing technology,” said
Bader AlNadabi, CEO of MWASALAT. “These new air vehicles will
revolutionize mobility across multiple sectors in Oman and beyond,
and we’re looking forward to seeing the impact across the
businesses we support across the region when our pilot programs
roll out in 2025.”
“The team at Odys Aviation has always been committed to
advancing sustainable aviation and we’re thrilled to be working
with MWASALAT’s progressive leadership to develop and implement
meaningful pilot initiatives that will prove the use case for this
technology,” said James Dorris, CEO and Co-Founder of Odys
Aviation.
To further support activities in the GCC, Odys recently
announced the appointment of Moosa Al Balushi to the position of
Regional Director Business Development, based in Muscat. Moosa is a
leading figure in the UAV industry in Oman and brings a wealth of
proven experience in the regulatory space. With experience in
executive roles at UVL Robotics and a track record of implementing
governmental strategies in logistics, Moosa is well placed to
direct initiatives to support the operation of UAVs in Oman and the
GCC across both public and private sectors.
About Odys Aviation: Odys Aviation designs, develops and
manufactures sustainable, technologically advanced VTOL aircraft
that solve global challenges for commercial airlines and private
operators. The company is pioneering the next generation of VTOL
aircraft which use hybrid-electric propulsion systems to deliver
the optimal balance between performance and sustainability. Odys
Aviation was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Long Beach, CA
with a Design Office in Munich, Germany. For more information,
please visit www.odysaviation.com
About MWASALAT: The Oman National Transport Company
“MWASALAT” was established in 1972 with the aim of transporting
school students in Muscat Governorate. In June 1975, it started
operating public transport services. The Oman National Transport
Company is a permanent member of the International Transport Union,
an international organization specialized in the field of public
transport, and the company is considered one of its oldest members
in the Middle East. In November 2015, the company’s services began
operating under the new identity “MWASALAT”.
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Media Contact: Louise@odysaviation.com Media Contact:
yousuf.alhinai@mwasalat.om