Riyadh Airshow attracts 120,000 visitors, showcasing breakthrough technologies and the rising future of personal air travel in the Kingdom

Published on December 5, 2025

The Middle East’s largest general aviation showcase, Sand & Fun Airshow 2025, concluded its latest edition in Riyadh with an impressive display of technological ambition, global participation, and forward-looking aviation concepts. Among the standout moments of the five-day event was the debut of Oregon-based Samson Sky, the American company behind the groundbreaking Switchblade Flying Car, marking a new chapter of cross-continental collaboration in personal air mobility.

Hosted annually by the Saudi Aviation Club (SAC), Sand & Fun Airshow has evolved into a major platform for innovation and industry engagement. The 2025 edition was designed to spark creativity, connect visionaries, and open new pathways for aviation development across the region. More than 120,000 visitors from over 90 countries attended, immersing themselves in over 100 air demonstrations, technology exhibits, and entertainment offerings crafted for professionals, enthusiasts, and families alike.

This year’s show carried heightened excitement as Samson Sky unveiled the Switchblade Flying Car to Middle Eastern audiences for the first time. Sam Bousfield, CEO of Samson Sky and the vehicle’s designer, personally presented the innovation to His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Founder and Board Chairman of the SAC. Their discussion drew a large crowd as visitors gathered to explore the concept of a vehicle that blends road mobility with aviation capabilities, signaling a future where personal flight becomes a realistic option for everyday travel.

Saudi Arabia’s interest in the Switchblade aligns closely with the ambitions of Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s comprehensive national transformation plan. A major pillar of this strategy focuses on transforming the country into a global tourism and business hub, supported by improved connectivity to more than 250 destinations worldwide. The Switchblade Flying Car offers a potential solution to enhance regional mobility, streamline domestic travel, and support new tourism routes, complementing the nation’s investments in advanced transportation technology.

To further strengthen this alignment, Samson Sky and the Saudi Aviation Club formalized a significant Memorandum of Understanding on the airshow’s opening day. The agreement outlines a multi-layered partnership that includes the training of mechanics and pilots specifically for the Switchblade, support for regulatory approvals within Saudi Arabia, and use of SAC facilities for sales activities, demonstration flights, and customer engagement. The partnership also extends access to the SAC’s nationwide airport system, ensuring that future Switchblade owners can operate seamlessly across the Kingdom. For the SAC, the collaboration supports its broader mission of cultivating aviation culture and expanding opportunities for general and sports aviation across Saudi Arabia.

As an independent non-profit organization, the Saudi Aviation Club plays a crucial role in nurturing the Kingdom’s aviation community. Through its partnerships with global institutions and its role as Saudi Arabia’s representative in bodies such as the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the SAC continuously works to expand access to aviation activities and elevate standards across the sector.

Samson Sky’s Switchblade Flying Car continues to draw global interest following its successful first flight in November 2023. The hybrid-electric vehicle is designed for dual-mode capability, transitioning from road to air with enclosed flying surfaces for safety during driving. It delivers sports-car-style performance with acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds and a top road speed of 125 mph. In the air, it cruises at an estimated 160 mph and can travel up to 500 miles at 13,000 feet on a single tank of premium auto fuel. The interior accommodates two passengers plus luggage, appealing to both private travelers and business users seeking flexible mobility.

Global demand for the Switchblade continues to rise, with nearly 2,500 reservations from over 50 countries and representation from every U.S. state. The company forecasts more than $500 million USD in potential future revenue based on these reservations alone. Samson Sky also plans to introduce certified commercial versions of the Switchblade for an efficient express courier service supported by accredited investors worldwide. The estimated retail price for the consumer model stands at $200,000 USD, positioning it as an accessible option within the emerging flying-car market.

Sand & Fun Airshow 2025 ultimately reinforced Saudi Arabia’s expanding role in shaping the future of aviation. The partnership with Samson Sky signals a growing embrace of transformative mobility solutions and highlights the Kingdom’s readiness to integrate cutting-edge technologies that support its long-term vision for connectivity, innovation, and global engagement.