Archer Aviation has entered into a multi-party collaboration agreement with key UAE and Abu Dhabi entities to advance the establishment of electric air taxi operations in Abu Dhabi.

The agreement aims to formalise the cooperation between UAE and Abu Dhabi stakeholders in preparation for the launch of the first commercial eVTOL flight. Through it, Archer aims to be the first manufacturer of eVTOL aircraft in the Middle East and North Africa region, and the first to launch commercial flying taxi operations in the Emirate.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office, a key signatory to the agreement, will facilitate coordination among Abu Dhabi entities in preparation for launch of commercial operations. Forming a robust ecosystem for eVTOL development, other parties to the agreement 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 and the Integrated Transport Centre.

The collaboration outlines the roles and responsibilities of each party and lays the foundation for definitive agreements between Archer and the commercial stakeholders. It represents a strong alignment between leading industry entities and follows a previous collaboration agreement with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to accelerate air taxi commercialisation.

His Excellency Badr Al-Olama, director general of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), says: “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.”

Etihad Aviation Training CEO captain Paolo La Cava comments: “We look forward to working with Archer to train pilots and other aviation professionals for its electric air taxis, which we hope will carry passengers to and from many airports and future vertiports in the region in the near future.”

Captain Raman Oberoi, CEO of Falcon Aviation Services, adds: “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. 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.”

Global Air Navigation Services CEO Yahya Al Hammadi states: “GANS is developing the capabilities to enable U-Space Service Provider operations to accelerate smart and advanced urban air mobility solutions.”

Archer CCO Nikhil Goel says: “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 nextgen transportation, creates an ideal environment for launching Midnight.”

The GCAA has been working closely with Archer, mostly recently through the organisation of a week-long workshop at Archer’s HQ and flight test facility in November 2024 to establish the necessary regulatory framework to certify the Midnight aircraft and approve commercial air taxi operations in the UAE.