UAE regulator fast-tracks air taxi maker Archer’s approvals ahead of 2025 launch

Dubai: In a bid to take to the skies ahead of the United States, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) manufacturer Archer Aviation hopes to launch its Midnight aircraft in the UAE before securing final certifications from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). A top official from the company confirmed this development, highlighting the fast-tracked approval process in the emirates.

The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has confirmed to Gulf News its commitment to expediting the approval process for Archer's commercial launch in Abu Dhabi later this year. The GCAA explained that it is using the FAA framework as a foundation to create a “nationally specific set of regulations tailored to the UAE's domestic operational requirements.”

While the GCAA clarified that the final approvals are not entirely independent of the FAA and depend on the FAA’s progress (“maturity”), significant steps have already been taken. Recently, Archer secured design approvals for the UAE’s first hybrid heliport, and the company has also appointed key C-suite executives to spearhead its operations in the emirates.

Private aircraft typically require a Type Certificate, usually issued by the FAA, EASA, or Transport Canada, to operate in the UAE. However, Archer's strategic partnership with the GCAA aims to accelerate its entry into the UAE market.

Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer of Archer Aviation, told Gulf News that while Archer’s Midnight eVTOL is in the final stages of certification with the FAA in the US, the UAE launch is not contingent on these approvals.

“More importantly, we are working with the GCAA here in the UAE. Our goal is to work with them to launch here (in the emirates) commercially this year, first in the world,” Goel stated. He emphasized that Archer is working closely with the GCAA to meet all necessary safety and regulatory standards for the planned commercial launch.

Addressing concerns about potential delays in FAA certification amid personnel cutbacks at the US aviation body, driven by DOGE budget cuts, Goel has expressed confidence in the current US administration's support.

“First of all, the administration has been incredibly supportive of everything we are doing here at Archer. In fact, I would say, if anything, the process has been phenomenally accelerated, and that has allowed us to make significant strides with the FAA,” said Goel. He also said that Archer has been picked as the exclusive transport partner for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

According to Goel, the GCAA has adopted an “even further accelerated pathway” to launch Midnight in the UAE later this year. “What they've done is they've taken the FAA rules, and they've decided to implement them here, on an expedited fashion,” explained Goel. However, Goel did not give specific timelines for when Archer is expected to receive its Type Certification.

According to Saj Ahmad from StrategicAero Research, it would be somewhat unusual for an eVTOL to be used without FAA certification. While the fact that these aircraft will only operate within the UAE means that US approval isn't a direct requirement for them to fly here, the FAA's sign-off would typically signify a certain level of conformity recognised across different nations using the same aircraft, explained Ahmad. 

He said, “I don't recall ever seeing the UAE have something new without FAA approval. But, because this will be for domestic use, the GCAA may also wish to bolster its own certification credentials so that any future eVTOLs aren't dependant on another country before use in the UAE.”

In a written statement to Gulf News, the GCAA said it is committed to upholding the “highest international standards of aviation safety. In light of emerging eVTOL technologies, the GCAA is actively collaborating with industry partners to develop a tailored certification and operational framework that supports a safe integration of these novel aircraft within the UAE.”

As part of this effort, in parallel, the GCAA said it is actively monitoring the US Federal Aviation Administration’s certification path that compliments the GCAA’s certification efforts. The statement read, “Our primary objective remains the safe and efficient introduction of Air Taxi services in the UAE, once all national safety and performance standards are fulfilled.”

For its operations in the US, Archer requires a Type Certification from the FAA, which signifies that the aircraft's design complies with all applicable airworthiness, noise, fuel venting, and exhaust emissions standards.

While this certification is still pending, Archer has already secured other crucial FAA certifications, including the Part 135 Air Carrier & Operator Certificate (obtained in June 2024, allowing them to operate as a commercial airline), the Part 145 Certification (received in February 2024, approving them as a specialized aircraft repair station), and the Part 141 Certification (awarded in February 2025, recognizing them as a formally recognized flight school for training pilots).

In preparation for the UAE launch, Archer has partnered with Etihad Aviation Training in Abu Dhabi to train pilots. A simulator has already been delivered, and Etihad will handle the recruitment and training of Emirati pilots for the Archer aircraft.

While the initial launch will involve a limited number of aircraft and pilots, Archer plans to scale its fleet and pilot numbers based on demand in the UAE. Goel also said that manufacturing plans in the UAE are in the pipeline, with further announcements expected as Archer progresses towards establishing a local supply chain.