Abu Dhabi Aviation Group is making a bold move into the future of urban mobility by partnering with US-based Archer Aviation to introduce electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the UAE.

The agreement paves the way for the launch of Archer’s first global fleet of Midnight air taxis, with operations expected to begin this year under the company’s ‘Launch Edition’ program, officially unveiled in Abu Dhabi.

“We are excited to lead the way in launching the region’s electric air taxi service, starting right here in Abu Dhabi,” said Nader Al Hammadi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA).

The ambitious initiative aims to significantly cut commute times, transforming lengthy 60–90-minute car rides into efficient 10–20-minute air taxi flights. Travel times on high-traffic routes—such as the Abu Dhabi to Dubai corridor—could be reduced to under 30 minutes.

Initial operations will be coordinated with the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), ensuring strict adherence to safety and regulatory standards.

Archer’s Midnight aircraft, a piloted eVTOL designed to carry four passengers, is built for rapid turnaround between flights—making it well-suited for frequent, short-haul urban travel.

To support the launch, Archer will equip Abu Dhabi Aviation with a full-service support package—including pilots, technicians, and engineers—alongside an integrated software platform with a user-friendly booking app.

“This is how we’ll bring Midnight from the manufacturing line to our first customers—and it’s a playbook we’ll run repeatedly as we scale our operations globally,” stated Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer. “Thank you to Abu Dhabi Aviation for being our first Launch Edition customer. We have a big year ahead.”

As Abu Dhabi advances its eVTOL ambitions, Dubai is also making significant progress. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has partnered with electric aircraft manufacturer Joby Aviation, with plans to introduce air taxi services in the emirate by early 2026.