Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Flying taxis could soon become a practical choice for commuters in Abu Dhabi, as Archer Aviation aims to price its service on par with standard transportation options.
The California-based company has announced plans to launch its electric air taxi service in the UAE capital by the end of 2025.
The company aims to offer fares comparable to traditional ground transportation, potentially transforming the daily commute for Abu Dhabi residents, Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer at Archer Aviation, told Aletihad in an interview at Make it in the Emirates.
Goel noted that a ride from Abu Dhabi to Dubai is expected to cost around Dh800, with prices decreasing over time to as low as Dh300, making the service competitive with high-end ride-hailing options.
He confirmed that the company's first eVTOL aircraft, specifically the Midnight model, will arrive in Abu Dhabi this summer, with commercial operations scheduled to begin by the end of the year.
The company has been working closely with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Etihad Aviation Training, and Abu Dhabi Aviation to deliver the first Midnight aircraft to the city this summer.
It has already announced that one of its first vertiport locations will be at the Al Mina Cruise Terminal, with additional sites - including Abu Dhabi International Airport - expected to be operational by year-end.
In total, the company plans to activate around ten sites in 2025, leveraging Abu Dhabi's existing 70-plus helipads to support its infrastructure rollout, according to Goel.
"The future is being made here in the UAE," he said, lauding the country's forward-thinking leadership and investment climate.
"We could have launched anywhere in the world, but we chose Abu Dhabi because of its ambition and supportive ecosystem."
Over time, Goel said, the initiative is expected to generate thousands of jobs and billions of dirhams in foreign direct investment. "We're going to need pilots, technicians, engineer – we're building an entire ecosystem."
Archer's aircraft will carry four passengers and a pilot, with room for luggage.
Initially, just a few aircraft will be operational by the end of 2025, but production is expected to ramp up in the following years to accommodate dozens and eventually hundreds of units.
Artificial intelligence will play a major role in Archer's operations, particularly in navigation and flight safety, Goel.
While each flight will have a human pilot, AI systems will handle most control functions.
Goel noted that the aircraft are equipped with 12 propellers and advanced safety protocols, enabling flight even if multiple propellers fail.
Looking ahead, Archer plans to expand beyond Abu Dhabi to the rest of the UAE.
"Abu Dhabi is our launchpad," Goel said. "And we're just getting started."
