Archer Aviation has officially entered into a multi-party collaboration agreement with several prominent UAE and Abu Dhabi entities, marking a major step forward in the development of electric air taxi operations in the Emirate. The agreement, signed under the auspices of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), aims to prepare the UAE for the launch of the first commercial electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This collaboration represents the UAE’s commitment to becoming a global leader in advanced, sustainable air mobility solutions.
The partnership is set to make Archer Aviation the first manufacturer of eVTOL aircraft in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It also positions Archer to be the first company to introduce commercial electric flying taxi operations in Abu Dhabi. The agreement was signed in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, underscoring the significance of this collaboration in the context of Abu Dhabi’s smart mobility goals.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) is a key signatory of the agreement, responsible for coordinating efforts among the various stakeholders to ensure the successful launch of the air taxi operations. Other parties involved 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). Each entity will play a specific role in creating the necessary infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and operational support for the new eVTOL services.
The partnership outlines the responsibilities of each party, helping to pave the way for formal agreements between Archer and the commercial stakeholders involved in the project. The collaboration builds on previous efforts, including an earlier agreement with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to advance the commercialization of air taxis. The goal is to establish a fully functional ecosystem that will support the operation of electric air taxis, from pilot training to regulatory approvals and infrastructure development.
His Excellency Badr Al-Olama, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are pleased to see leading members of Abu Dhabi’s aviation sector collaborating with Archer to support the launch of air taxis in the emirate. This partnership marks a major milestone in the efforts led by Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Systems Council to accelerate smart and advanced mobility solutions, further solidifying the emirate’s position as a global leader in smart and autonomous vehicles.”
His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA, also spoke about the significance of the collaboration, emphasizing the importance of safety and cooperation across the UAE’s aviation entities. “We are committed to launching electric air taxis safely in the UAE. Today’s consortium announcement showcases the importance of collaboration across the country’s preeminent aviation entities in order to host Archer’s Midnight in the region next year,” said Al Suwaidi.
Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, highlighted the pivotal role this collaboration will play in advancing sustainable urban mobility in Abu Dhabi. “We are proud to support this pioneering collaboration, marking a significant step towards sustainable urban mobility in Abu Dhabi. This partnership reinforces our commitment to innovation and positions the emirate as a global leader in next-gen transportation,” Sorlini said.
Etihad Aviation Training CEO, Captain Paolo La Cava, emphasized the importance of pilot training for the success of the electric air taxi program. “Abu Dhabi continues to lead the way in safe aviation innovation, and we look forward to working with Archer to train pilots and other aviation professionals for their electric air taxis, which we hope will carry passengers to and from many airports and future vertiports in the region in the near future.”
Falcon Aviation Services CEO, Captain Raman Oberoi, expressed confidence in the partnership’s potential to transform the aviation landscape. “This partnership represents a significant milestone in the evolution of aviation, and we are committed to contributing to the successful integration of eVTOL operations in Abu Dhabi. For nearly two decades, Falcon Aviation has been at the forefront of helicopter passenger transport in the UAE,” said Oberoi.
Yahya Al Hammadi, CEO of Global Air Navigation Services (GANS), highlighted GANS’ role in enabling the integration of urban air mobility (UAM) operations into Abu Dhabi’s airspace. “GANS is committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to enable the integration of UAM operations into the Abu Dhabi airspace. GANS is developing the capabilities to enable U-Space Service Provider (USSP) operations to accelerate smart and advanced Urban Air Mobility solutions,” Al Hammadi explained.
Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL) CEO Mahmood Alhameli also reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting Abu Dhabi’s eVTOL ambitions, adding, “As a leading provider of aviation maintenance and manpower services, GAL is proud to support Abu Dhabi’s eVTOL ambitions via this partnership, and commits to spurring the local ecosystem to the exciting technological frontier of air mobility.”
Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer of Archer Aviation, emphasized the strategic importance of the UAE for the company’s future. “The UAE is a cornerstone of Archer’s future, and these partnerships are key to making that future a reality. The comprehensive support from our partners, combined with Abu Dhabi’s forward-thinking approach to next-gen transportation, creates an ideal environment for launching Midnight,” Goel said.
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has been closely involved with Archer Aviation, most recently organizing a week-long workshop at Archer’s headquarters and flight test facility in November 2024. During this workshop, both organizations worked together to establish the regulatory framework necessary to certify Archer’s Midnight aircraft and approve commercial air taxi operations in the UAE. This ongoing collaboration ensures that the introduction of electric air taxis in Abu Dhabi will be done in full compliance with safety and regulatory standards, setting the stage for a successful launch in the near future.
