**Tangerang, August 31, 2026** — The development of flying taxi technology in Indonesia has entered a new phase following the unveiling of the **Vela Alpha**—a full-scale physical prototype—by PT Vela Prima Nusantara (**Vela Aero**) at the Heli Expo Asia (HEXIA) 2026 event held at Cengkareng Heliport, Tangerang, Banten.
The debut of this prototype marks a significant milestone in the development of **Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)** in Indonesia. The Vela Alpha is designed with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities, eliminating the need for the conventional runways required by standard aircraft.
## Designed for Indonesia's Mobility Needs
Vela Aero developed the Alpha with Indonesia's unique geography as an archipelagic nation in mind, alongside the need to address urban mobility challenges such as traffic congestion and limited connectivity.
This design concept positions the Vela Alpha not only for urban travel but also as a potential solution for connecting regions with limited ground transportation access.
The Vela Alpha utilizes a **lift-and-cruise** configuration featuring **Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP)** technology, powered by nine independent electric motors. This system enables the aircraft to take off and hover vertically before transitioning to wing-borne cruise flight.
Vela Aero also emphasized that the Alpha’s design prioritizes system redundancy in critical areas to enhance flight safety.
## Two Propulsion System Options
The Vela Alpha is being prepared in two primary configurations. The first is a fully electric variant, or **eVTOL**, intended for **Urban Air Mobility (UAM)** applications.
According to the latest information shared at HEXIA 2026, this electric variant targets a range of up to **150 kilometers**. Meanwhile, the **hybrid-electric (hVTOL)** variant is being developed for longer-range flights, targeting a range of up to **500 kilometers**. The aircraft is designed to carry **one pilot and up to six passengers**, with a targeted cruising speed of approximately **250 kilometers per hour**.
## Targeted First Flight in Late 2026
Although a full-scale prototype has been unveiled to the public, the Vela Alpha remains in the development stage and is not yet operating as a commercial air taxi service.
Vela Aero targets its **maiden flight for the fourth quarter of 2026**. This milestone will be a crucial step before the aircraft undergoes a series of tests, the airworthiness certification process, and preparations for ecosystem operations.
The company aims to secure **Type Certification** by the end of 2028. If all development and certification stages proceed according to plan, the Vela Alpha is slated to reach the **Entry Into Service (EIS)** stage in early 2029.
This means the public cannot yet use the Vela Alpha as a commercial air taxi. The aircraft must still pass through various technical, safety, regulatory, and certification stages, as well as ensure the readiness of supporting infrastructure such as vertiports and maintenance facilities.
## Towards Indonesia's Advanced Air Mobility Ecosystem
The development of the Vela Alpha goes beyond just manufacturing the aircraft. Vela Aero aims to build an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem that encompasses the aircraft, infrastructure, operators, maintenance services, and various other supporting stakeholders.
In its statement, Vela Aero's executive team noted that the company seeks to develop an integrated AAM ecosystem while positioning Indonesia as a hub for aerospace technology innovation and development in Southeast Asia.
Previously, PT Vela Prima Nusantara collaborated with **PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI)** on the development of the Vela Alpha. PTDI views the Alpha as a key component of its Advanced Air Mobility development efforts, aimed at enhancing connectivity in both urban areas and regions with limited transport access.
With the unveiling of the full-scale prototype at HEXIA 2026, the Vela Alpha is now entering a more concrete phase leading up to flight testing. However, the project's success will ultimately depend heavily on the outcomes of testing, certification, technology readiness, regulations, infrastructure, and operational viability.
If all these targets are met according to plan, Vela Alpha has the potential to become a significant milestone in the development of Indonesia's **Advanced Air Mobility** industry.
