Abu Dhabi to launch electric air Taxi service in landmark deal

Abu Dhabi is set to become the first city in the region to introduce electric flying taxis, following a major partnership with U.S.-based Archer Aviation.

The Abu Dhabi Aviation Group (ADA) announced on Thursday that it would fund the deployment of Archer’s Midnight eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft, with test flights expected in the coming months.

The initiative is part of the “Launch Edition” program, which aims to introduce a fleet of air taxis in Abu Dhabi by 2025. The Midnight aircraft, a piloted four-passenger vehicle designed for short urban commutes, is expected to cut travel times significantly—reducing a 60- to 90-minute car ride to just 10 to 20 minutes. Flight tests are scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025, according to the *Khaleej Times*.

“The UAE is a cornerstone of Archer’s future, and these partnerships are key to making that future a reality,” said Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer of Archer Aviation, in December.

The U.S. and Japan are currently leading the global race to commercialize electric air taxis, with companies like Joby Aviation and Lilium competing for dominance. However, Abu Dhabi’s move positions Archer’s American-made technology as a major contender in the urban air mobility sector, potentially opening new international markets for U.S. aerospace firms.

Abu Dhabi will be competing with cities like Dubai and Singapore, which have aligned with German firm Volocopter in their own flying taxi ventures. Archer’s deal with ADA, finalized in December, marks a significant step toward making the UAE the first country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to launch commercial eVTOL operations.

ADA confirmed its commitment to the project in a statement on Instagram: “#ADA has announced a strategic collaboration with #Archer to deploy its first #eVTOL aircraft, Midnight, globally this year from Abu Dhabi. This agreement is part of the global commercial program ‘Launch Edition,’ which aims to deploy an initial fleet in partnership with ADA, in coordination with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority #GCAA to safely introduce air taxi services to the region. As per the MoU, ADA outlined its intent to fund the deployment of the Midnight Launch Edition aircraft, making it the first operator in the region.”

With strong backing from Abu Dhabi authorities and strategic partnerships in place, the city is positioning itself as a pioneer in the future of urban air travel.