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Archer signs huge framework agreement for commercial air taxi operations in the UAE

May 06, 2024

Archer Aviation Inc., an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer, announced a framework agreement with Abu Dhabi to expedite Archer’s commercial air taxi operations in the UAE, including in-country manufacturing, operations, and training across the region.

The agreement also positions Abu Dhabi as a key player in urban air mobility, with plans to commence air taxi operations with Archer’s Midnight aircraft as early as next year.

The collaboration between Archer and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) includes vertiport construction, operational enablement for air taxi operations in the UAE, and in-country manufacturing of Archer’s Midnight aircraft. ADIO will also facilitate local workforce development programs for Emirati talent and the establishment of Archer’s international headquarters and Centre of Excellence in Abu Dhabi.

Under this agreement, ADIO will support the development of vertiports in critical locations throughout Abu Dhabi, enhancing the urban air mobility infrastructure necessary for Archer to scale operations. This agreement follows a memorandum of understanding announced at the 2023 launch of ADIO’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster.

ADIO and Archer will continue to work with Archer’s partners to accelerate the company’s progress in the region. With the support of its early investor and UAE’s sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, Archer’s partner operators Falcon Aviation and Air Chateau, and GAL-AMMROC have announced plans to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul support for Archer’s eVTOL aircraft.

Archer aims to transform urban travel, replacing 60- to 90-minute commutes by car with estimated 10- to 20-minute electric air taxi flights that are safe, sustainable, low noise, and cost-competitive with ground transportation. Archer’s Midnight is a piloted, four-passenger aircraft designed to perform rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between flights.

“This substantial agreement with Abu Dhabi is a pivotal moment for Archer’s commercialisation efforts across the Emirates, as it provides the catalyst to accelerate the launch of our electric air taxi service in the UAE as soon as late 2025. The agreement underscores Abu Dhabi’s strong commitment to Archer and conviction to become a global hub for urban air mobility. With Abu Dhabi’s support, we are poised to continue leading the transformation of urban transportation in the Emirate and across the globe,” said Archer founder and CEO, Adam Goldstein.