Archer Aviation has completed test flights of its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Midnight, at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi.

Conducted in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and under the strategy of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), the flight marks a step toward the planned commercial rollout of air taxi services in the UAE.

The test flight, attended by senior representatives from the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), ADIO, Integrated Transport Centre, Abu Dhabi Airports, and Abu Dhabi Aviation, focused on assessing the aircraft’s vertical take-off and landing performance under local environmental conditions, including high temperatures, humidity, and dust levels.

The data gathered will support Archer’s broader flight-testing program in the region and inform its certification and commercialisation efforts in the UAE and other regional markets.

His Excellency Badr Al Olama, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, said the flight marks progress in Abu Dhabi’s efforts to become a global leader in urban air mobility.

“Through the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) Cluster, we are enabling companies like Archer to test, certify, and scale next-generation air mobility solutions,” he noted.

Adam Goldstein, CEO and Founder of Archer Aviation, described the UAE test flight as a critical step in preparing for commercial operations in Abu Dhabi. “Testing our aircraft in actual operating conditions in the middle of summer provides us with the data we need to progress our commercial and certification efforts both in the UAE and in the US,” he said.

The test supports Archer’s Launch Edition commercial program, which is in partnership with Abu Dhabi Aviation and aims to establish operational air taxi routes in the capital.

The initiative builds on recent developments, including regulatory design approval for the UAE’s first hybrid heliport at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal and other regional partnerships.