Abu Dhabi is aiming to become the first city to introduce flying taxis, with a target launch date set for late 2025. This initiative is in partnership with US-based Archer Aviation, which will also establish a production facility for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the UAE capital.
If successful, the Midnight eVTOLs will transport up to four passengers, connecting various 'vertiports' across the city and potentially reducing travel times by up to 80 percent.
The eVTOL concept gained traction in 2016 when Uber showcased the idea at its Elevate conference. Since then, the industry has attracted significant investment, with over 300 startups emerging and nearly $10 billion in funding secured. However, a recent study suggests that less than 5% of these companies may survive in the long term, with Archer Aviation noted as one of the leading firms.
Archer plans to launch its first commercial service in Abu Dhabi, offering flights between major destinations. The Midnight eVTOL can reach speeds of 240 km/h (150 mph) and will utilize routes primarily over water, taking advantage of the city’s unique geography.
While Archer has partnerships in several countries, its operations in the UAE are the most developed, thanks to support from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, which promotes cross-industry innovation.
The collaboration includes various stakeholders such as Abu Dhabi Airports, Etihad Aviation Training, and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), ensuring that both operational and regulatory challenges are addressed.
Regulatory hurdles remain a significant obstacle for eVTOL services globally, although China may lead in launching commercial operations. Earlier this year, Chinese startup AutoFlight completed an inter-city flight in Guangdong Province, with regular passenger services expected to start in 2026.
Plans are in place to establish up to five eVTOL vertiports in Abu Dhabi, with operations anticipated to be operational by late 2024, according to Alessandro Borgogna, an aerospace engineer with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.
Borgogna highlighted that Archer's eVTOLs are integral to transforming transportation across various modes in the UAE capital.