Today's Edition
A.SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi’s electric air taxi service is a step closer to reality, with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) formally announcing that it will fund Archer Aviation’s project to deploy its Midnight electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
In a stock market statement on Thursday, ADA confirmed the news story previously published by Aletihad earlier, which was based on Archer Aviation’s plan to roll out its electric air taxis globally as part of its “Launch Edition”.
“As part of the agreement, both parties will collaborate in establishing a framework that will allow Archer to establish a pragmatic and repeatable playbook to deploy Midnight commercially in multiple early adopter markets,” the statement said.
An initial fleet and operational details will be finalised in coordination with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to ensure safety, the statement added.
Archer will provide ADA with a team of pilots, technicians, and engineers to support the initial operational ramp-up, ensuring a safe and efficient deployment. “Archer will also offer an integrated software infrastructure, including a booking application,” the statement said.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed during an official ceremony attended by Nader Al Hammadi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Aviation, and Badr Al Olama, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).
“As a leading force in the aviation industry and the largest helicopter operator in the Middle East, ADA has the expertise to develop a scalable urban air mobility service. We are excited to lead the way in launching the region’s electric air taxi service, starting right here in Abu Dhabi,” Hammadi said.
Archer said that it aims to transform urban travel, replacing 60–90-minute commutes by car with estimated 10–20-minute electric air taxi flights that are safe, sustainable, low noise and cost-competitive with ground transportation. Midnight is a pilot plus four-passenger aircraft designed to perform rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between flights. It uses 12 tilt rotors, transitioning from vertical takeoff to efficient wing-borne flight.
