Archer begins test flights in Abu Dhabi for air taxi rollout, targeting UAE commercial launch

Dubai: The sky over Abu Dhabi just got a glimpse of the future. Archer Aviation, the US-based electric air taxi pioneer, has successfully conducted its first test flight in the UAE — a milestone that signals the start of a new era in how residents and visitors may soon get around the city.

The company’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft, a fully electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle, took flight at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi, kicking off a testing programme designed specifically to handle the region’s extreme summer conditions — high heat, humidity and dust exposure.

The test flight, supported by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), was attended by top officials from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Abu Dhabi Airports, and other key government and transport stakeholders. It marks the first step in Archer’s broader commercialisation effort in the Middle East.

“This flight marks a significant step towards realising Abu Dhabi’s ambition to lead the world in advanced urban air mobility,” said H.E. Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO.

The announcement comes just days after Dubai completed the region’s first test flight of the Joby Aerial Taxi, underscoring the UAE’s fast-growing lead in turning flying taxis from futuristic concept into practical transport solution.

With this test complete, Archer plans to expand its flight-testing programme in the UAE, gathering performance data to support aircraft certification and commercial rollout — not only locally, but also in other launch markets.

CEO Adam Goldstein said testing in actual UAE summer conditions is critical:

“This gives us the real-world data we need to move forward with both UAE and U.S. certification efforts.”

This effort is part of Archer’s Launch Edition programme, a commercialisation initiative targeting early-adopter cities for eVTOL operations. Abu Dhabi is set to become Archer’s first global launch market, putting the emirate in a leading position to introduce air taxi services as early as 2026.

Archer’s Midnight aircraft is designed for short urban hops — like airport to downtown trips — using zero-emission electric propulsion. Once in service, these aircraft are expected to cut travel times dramatically, bypassing road congestion and offering a quieter, faster, and more sustainable option for urban travel.

The UAE has already taken steps to prepare for this future. Regulatory groundwork is being laid, including design approval for the country’s first hybrid heliport at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal — a key piece of infrastructure that will support future eVTOL operations.

As the UAE pushes ahead with its Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) Cluster, partnerships with global innovators like Archer position the country as a launchpad for next-gen transport technologies.

“Abu Dhabi is more than just a testbed — it’s where urban air mobility is being brought to life,” said Goldstein.