TransFuture Aviation presented its bold vision for the future of urban air mobility at the Dubai Airshow 2025. Led by CEO Bai Zhiliang, one of China’s early eVTOL pioneers, the company showcased its Honghu fully tilt-rotor eVTOL and outlined a global roadmap that positions it strongly within the emerging low-altitude economy.

Founded with a mission to redefine personal and regional air travel, TransFuture Aviation has built a strong reputation in the fully tilt-rotor eVTOL space. Under Bai’s leadership, the company brings together experienced aviation experts from leading institutions and organisations. During the presentation, Bai noted that “the eVTOL era is not just approaching, it is being built today. More than mere witnesses, we are its architects.”

Supporting him is Zhang Wei, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist, who also directs the MIIT Key Laboratory and oversees the company’s R&D operations. The wider team includes specialists with backgrounds in major aviation research centres, including the National Key Laboratory of Aircraft Configuration Design, AVIC, and Honeywell. Together, their combined experience strengthens the company’s capabilities in flight control, propulsion systems, safety technologies, and airworthiness.

The presentation also highlighted aviation’s evolution, from the Wright Flyer of 1903 to modern electric vertical takeoff technologies. TransFuture drew comparisons with milestones such as the Cornu helicopter, the Douglas DC-3, and the V-22 Osprey. Bai shared that “each chapter in aviation history, CTOL, jet, helicopter, and now eVTOL, represents humanity’s pursuit of efficiency, safety, and freedom in the air.”

After years of testing multiple configurations, TransFuture concluded that the fully tilt-rotor model offered the best balance of efficiency, safety, and performance. Their research into Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), which began in 2017, helped enhance redundancy, reduce mechanical complexity, and improve safety. According to Bai, DEP “fundamentally redefines aircraft architecture, enabling safer vertical flight and smoother transition to cruise, while offering unprecedented control authority.”

The company also uses advanced aerodynamic tools, including Lattice Boltzmann simulations, along with biomimicry inspired by bird flight to improve efficiency and stability. This research led to the creation of the Honghu eVTOL, which completed its maiden full-scale flight in December 2024 in Changsha. It became the world’s second fully tilt-rotor eVTOL engineering prototype and the first of its kind in China.

A major milestone followed in September 2025, when the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) officially accepted the Type Certification application for the Honghu eVTOL. This achievement sets a new benchmark for China’s eVTOL sector and strengthens the company’s regulatory foundation for future development.

Since 2023, TransFuture Aviation has completed four rounds of financing, raising several hundred million RMB. This support reflects strong investor confidence in the company’s DEP systems, intelligent flight control algorithms, and overall technological progress.

TransFuture also highlighted Dubai as a key region for early eVTOL adoption due to its supportive regulatory landscape and focus on innovation. The company shared mobility scenarios showing how eVTOLs can significantly reduce travel time in the region. For example, trips like Ajman to Dubai could reduce from 35 minutes by road to just 10 minutes by eVTOL.

The company also presented a case study on aerial tourism over Palm Jumeirah, where current helicopter services earn about AED 200 million annually. With eVTOL integration, TransFuture projects passenger numbers could rise to more than one million a year, potentially generating AED 2 billion. This growth could support local tourism, job creation, and new mobility infrastructure.

Bai described Dubai’s potential future as “a showcase of safe, serene, and swift aerial mobility,” offering both convenience and sustainability for residents and visitors.

TransFuture ended the presentation with an invitation for international collaboration, emphasising that the eVTOL revolution requires shared effort. Bai shared that “the eVTOL revolution is a global endeavor,” highlighting the company’s goal to help shape the next decade of advanced air mobility.

During the Airshow, Bai also met Joby Aviation Founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt, who appreciated TransFuture’s achievements in fully tilt-rotor technology. Bai also held a technical discussion with MIT’s Professor Jordan Karatzas, touching on the strengths of tilt-rotor and STOL architectures, further reinforcing the value of global cooperation in next-generation aviation research.

TransFuture aims to play a major role in the growing low-altitude economy, contributing to areas such as passenger transport, logistics, and emergency services. With its strong technical foundation, global partnerships, and sustainable approach, the company continues to push forward the future of air mobility.

Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Krabi, has introduced two refreshed spaces that bring new energy to the region’s dining and bar scene. The resort has reimagined its signature Thai restaurant, Sri Trang, and opened Pirom Bar, a stylish gin and whiskey lounge set against the Andaman Sea.

Sri Trang now welcomes guests with a warm and contemporary look after a detailed renovation. Its new interiors blend elegant design, custom-made furniture and a homely feel that complements the restaurant’s calm atmosphere. Alongside the refreshed space, Chef Aong has curated a new Southern Thai menu shaped by the coastal character of Krabi. Her dishes take inspiration from local produce like coconuts, herbs, palm sugar, shrimp paste and sustainably sourced seafood. Each recipe reflects flavours from her childhood and highlights traditional preparations that are rarely found beyond this region.

Pirom Bar adds a contrasting mood with its intimate setting on the 2nd floor between Sri Trang and Jampoon. The bar is designed to mirror the shift from day to night, offering a relaxed space for sunset cocktails and slow evenings. Guests can enjoy gin and whiskey creations, handcrafted cocktails and fine Champagnes, many of them infused with Thai herbs and spices. True to its name, Pirom,  which means “supreme joy" , aims to spark connection, comfort and memorable conversations.

Phulay Bay will also host an exclusive Four Hands Dinner featuring Christian Herrgesell and Syrco Bakker at Lae Lay, the resort’s seafood restaurant. The special evening will present a six-course menu inspired by Chef Syrco’s Dutch-Indonesian roots and rare ingredients, offering a unique dining moment for guests. More updates will follow from the resort.

“Southern Thailand is one of the world’s great culinary destinations – a vibrant melting pot where cultures converge and fresh produce thrives. We are delighted to invite our discerning clientele to savor the authentic flavors of Krabi and its surrounding provinces with reimagined dining experiences at Sri Trang, and innovative mixology at Pirom Bar. Our new venues will further underscore Phulay Bay’s vision of creating guest journeys that stimulate the senses and evoke the essence of this idyllic, intriguing region,” said Mr. Vidya Sagar, the resort’s General Manager.

Alma Resort on the Cam Ranh Peninsula has been named the Best Family Hotel in Vietnam by Little Steps Asia in its annual travel awards for 2025–26. The popular parenting publication praised the resort for its family-focused experiences, highlighting its 12 swimming pools, 14 dining venues, and ocean-view suites. The editors also appreciated the resort’s extensive recreational options, calling its waterpark one of the most exciting in the country.

Spread across 300,000 square metres, Alma has built its reputation as a destination designed for togetherness and memorable family time. Herbert Laubichler-Pichler, the resort’s Managing Director, expressed gratitude to the team and said that the resort continues to evolve to meet the needs of modern family travellers.

The award comes at a time when Alma has introduced the Alma Discovery Camp, an engaging facility that connects children with nature, farm animals, and sustainable living. The camp offers interactive farm visits where children can explore habitats, learn through touch-and-feel experiences, and interact with animals such as cows, goats, chickens, ducks, and rabbits.

Along with the farm, Alma features a wide range of family-friendly amenities including the Alma Technology Experience Center, kids club, youth club, cinema, and a large water park with a lazy river, slides, wave pool, and kids pool. The resort also conducts activities for all ages such as cooking workshops, kite-flying competitions, tree planting, and virtual reality golf.

To inspire young bakers, the resort organises a Hotelier Pastry Tour that takes children behind the scenes to the resort’s bakery, giving them a closer look at the baking process and allowing them to try freshly made treats. Kids can also enjoy themed room setups that add a colourful and personalised touch to their stay, complete with welcome cards, pillows, towel art, themed bedding, and fun pool accessories.

This recognition from Little Steps Asia adds to Alma’s list of recent honours. The resort was earlier named Vietnam’s Best Family Resort by Holidays with Kids magazine and was featured among the top resorts in Southeast Asia, Asia, and the world in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards.

For more information, visit alma-resort.com.