Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR) has announced a multi-party collaboration with key entities in the UAE and Abu Dhabi to advance the establishment of electric air taxi services in Abu Dhabi. The agreement, signed under the auspices of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), aims to lay the groundwork for the first commercial eVTOL (electric vertical-take-off-and-landing) flight. The signing took place in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs.
The collaboration’s goal is for Archer Aviation to become the first eVTOL manufacturer in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the first to launch commercial flying taxi services in Abu Dhabi.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), a key participant, will facilitate coordination among local entities to prepare for the launch of commercial operations. Other partners in the agreement include Abu Dhabi Airports (AD Airports), Falcon Aviation Services, Etihad Aviation Training, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Global Air Navigation Services (GANS), Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL), and the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility). Together, these entities will form a robust ecosystem for the development of eVTOL services.
The partnership outlines each party’s responsibilities and sets the stage for future definitive agreements between Archer and commercial stakeholders. This collaboration follows an earlier agreement with ADIO to accelerate air taxi commercialization.
His Excellency Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “We are excited to see leading members of Abu Dhabi’s aviation sector working alongside Archer to bring air taxis to the emirate. This marks a significant step in the efforts of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council to promote advanced mobility solutions, positioning Abu Dhabi as a global leader in smart vehicles.”
His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA, emphasized the importance of safety in launching electric air taxis: “Today’s announcement demonstrates the vital role of cooperation among the UAE’s top aviation entities to successfully integrate Archer’s Midnight aircraft into the region next year.”
Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, added: “We are proud to support this innovative collaboration, marking a major milestone in sustainable urban mobility in Abu Dhabi. This partnership strengthens the emirate’s leadership in next-gen transportation and ensures future connectivity for passengers.”
Captain Paolo La Cava, CEO of Etihad Aviation Training, stated: “Abu Dhabi continues to lead in aviation innovation. We look forward to collaborating with Archer to train pilots and aviation professionals for electric air taxis, which will serve future airports and vertiports in the region.”
Captain Raman Oberoi, CEO of Falcon Aviation Services, noted: “This partnership is a significant milestone in aviation evolution, and Falcon Aviation is committed to supporting the integration of eVTOL operations in Abu Dhabi. Our experience in helicopter passenger transport underpins our commitment to innovation and excellence in air mobility.”
Yahya Al Hammadi, CEO of GANS, remarked: “GANS is committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to enable the integration of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) into Abu Dhabi’s airspace. We are working to develop the capabilities necessary to support U-Space Service Provider (USSP) operations, advancing the smart and sustainable mobility solutions.”
Mahmood Alhameli, CEO of Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL), added: “As a leading provider of aviation maintenance and services, GAL is proud to support Abu Dhabi’s eVTOL ambitions. We are committed to contributing to the growth of the local ecosystem as we explore the exciting frontier of air mobility.”
Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer of Archer Aviation, emphasized the importance of the collaboration: “The UAE is central to Archer’s future, and these partnerships are vital for realizing that vision. The support from our partners, combined with Abu Dhabi’s forward-thinking approach to transportation, provides the ideal environment for launching Midnight.”
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has worked closely with Archer, including a week-long workshop in November 2024 at Archer’s headquarters and flight test facility. This collaboration aims to establish the regulatory framework for certifying Archer’s Midnight aircraft and approving commercial air taxi operations in the UAE.