Abu Dhabi is set to become the first city in the region to introduce electric flying taxis, following a pioneering agreement with US-based Archer Aviation. This groundbreaking development was announced on Thursday, marking a significant leap in the UAE’s commitment to advanced urban mobility solutions.
Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) has signed a deal with Archer Aviation to deploy its Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft later this year, making ADA the first global Launch Edition customer. The agreement was officially signed by Nader Al Hammadi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Aviation, and Badr Al Olama, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).
As part of the deal, ADA will fund the deployment of the Midnight, a four-passenger, piloted aircraft designed to reduce traditional 60- to 90-minute car commutes to just 10 to 20 minutes of flight time, solidifying Abu Dhabi’s position as a leader in next-generation transportation.
“We have been following eVTOL technology closely for years, and we are thrilled to partner with Archer to bring this innovation to the UAE,” said Nader Al Hammadi. “As the largest helicopter operator in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi Aviation has the experience to develop a scalable urban air mobility service. We are proud to lead the way in launching the region’s first electric air taxi service, starting in Abu Dhabi.”
In addition to the launch in Abu Dhabi, ADA and Archer will work together to create a scalable operational model for deploying Midnight in other early adopter markets. Archer will also provide ADA with a dedicated team of pilots, technicians, and engineers to support the initial rollout, along with an integrated software system, including a booking app, to streamline urban air mobility operations.
“This partnership with Abu Dhabi Aviation is how we’ll bring Midnight from the manufacturing line to our first customers—and it’s a model we’ll replicate as we scale globally,” said Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer. “We are grateful to Abu Dhabi Aviation for being our first Launch Edition customer, and we have an exciting year ahead.”
The launch of Midnight in Abu Dhabi represents a significant milestone in the development of sustainable air transportation, paving the way for a future where urban commutes are transformed into airborne journeys.
