Archer Aviation partners with key Abu Dhabi entities to accelerate electric air taxi launch
US-based electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer, Archer Aviation (Archer), has recently signed a multi-party collaboration agreement with key UAE entities to accelerate the launch of electric air taxi operations in the region.
The partnership, signed under the auspices of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), formalises cooperation between Archer and major Abu Dhabi stakeholders.
A vision for sustainable air mobility
The agreement seeks to position Archer as the first eVTOL aircraft manufacturer in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and to launch the first commercial flying taxi services in Abu Dhabi.
In addition, the collaboration outlines the responsibilities of each stakeholder, setting the stage for further definitive agreements.
Notably, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), one of the agreement’s key signatories, will coordinate efforts among Abu Dhabi entities to create a robust ecosystem for eVTOL operations.
Furthermore, other notable participants in this initiative 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.
Commenting on this development, Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer at Archer, said, “The UAE is a cornerstone of Archer’s future, and these partnerships are key to making that future a reality.”
He added, “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.”
Similarly, His Excellency Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, emphasised the significance of this partnership for Abu Dhabi’s ambitions.
“This 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,” he said.
Likewise, His Excellency Said Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA, added, “We are committed to launching electric air taxis safely in the UAE. Today’s consortium announcement showcases the importance of collaboration across the county’s preeminent aviation entities.”
Industry leaders perspective
Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, noted, “ We are proud to support this pioneering collaboration, marking a significant step towards sustainable urban mobility in Abu Dhabi.”
She added, “This partnership reinforces our commitment to innovation and positions the emirate as a global leader in next-gen transportation.”
Additionally, Captain Paolo La Cava, CEO of Etihad Aviation Training, remarked, “Abu Dhabi continues to lead the way in safe aviation innovation, and we look for 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.”
On a related note, Captain Raman Oberoi, CEO of Falcon Aviation Services, noted the milestone as pivotal in aviation’s evolution.
“For nearly two decades, Falcon Aviation has been at the forefront of helicopter passenger transport in the UAE,” he said.
“Our involvement underscores our dedication to innovation and excellence in the aviation industry as we work together with leading stakeholders to shape the future of air mobility in Abu Dhabi and beyond.”
Yahya Al Hammadi, CEO of GANS, affirmed the organisation’s commitment to integrating UAM operations into 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,” said Al Hammadi.
Mahmood Alhameli, CEO of GAL, highlighted the role of the company in supporting the local ecosystem for advanced air mobility.
“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,” he noted.
Moreover, the GCAA has been instrumental in shaping the regulatory framework to support eVTOL operations in the UAE.
In a significant step towards realising the vision, Archer recently hosted a week-long workshop at its headquarters and flight test facility.
During the workshop, both parties collaborated to establish the necessary regulatory framework to certify the company’s Midnight aircraft and approve its commercial use.
Additionally, Archer recently appointed Dr Talib Alhinai as its UAE Lead, who will play a pivotal role in guiding the company’s ambitious plans to introduce electric air taxis across the UAE.