Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has partnered with Archer Aviation to develop the UAE’s first hospital-based vertiport, paving the way for advanced electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) services for patients and visitors.

The vertiport will provide faster travel between the hospital and nearby destinations, reducing journey times from hours to minutes compared with road transport. 

Alongside passenger services, the initiative will explore time-critical applications such as organ transport, using Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft, which carries up to four passengers and produces less noise and emissions than conventional helicopters.

As part of the collaboration, Archer will support the hospital in upgrading its existing helipad to accommodate both helicopters and eVTOL aircraft, a step that aligns with the company’s plans to expand commercial operations in Abu Dhabi.

“This partnership showcases the breadth of Archer’s network vision — connecting not just places, but pillars of life in Abu Dhabi,” said Bryan Bernhard, Chief Growth and Infrastructure Officer at Archer. 

He added that the project follows the approval of the company’s first hybrid vertiport at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal earlier this year, underlining ongoing cooperation with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to build a city-wide advanced air mobility ecosystem.

Dr. Georges-Pascal Haber, CEO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said the initiative reflects the hospital’s focus on patient-centered care and sustainability.

“This new mode of emission-free transport aligns with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s commitment to sustainability, gives additional options to many patients travelling to our hospital for care, and provides our thriving organ transplant program with fast logistics,” he said.

Archer’s UAE network is being developed under the GCAA’s framework for hybrid vertiports, which allow helicopters and eVTOLs to share infrastructure. The company plans to repurpose helipads across Abu Dhabi into certified vertiports as part of broader efforts to support the emirate’s air mobility and innovation strategy.