UAE to Welcome Flying Taxis in Abu Dhabi in the Coming Months
Abu Dhabi is set to introduce flying taxis as part of its urban air mobility plans, with US electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) manufacturer Archer preparing to launch its Midnight aircraft in the emirate in the coming months. The project is expected to bring a new era of transportation, significantly reducing travel times between different emirates.
Abu Dhabi Aviation and Archer Partnership
Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) has become Archer’s first Launch Edition customer, with plans to deploy an initial fleet of Midnight aircraft later this year. An agreement was recently signed between the two entities to outline the framework for funding and deploying the Midnight Launch Edition aircraft in the UAE.
To ensure a successful launch, Archer personnel will collaborate with ADA in areas such as pilot training, flight operations, and community engagement. Archer also plans to provide ADA with a team of pilots, technicians, and engineers to support initial operations and ensure a safe and efficient deployment. Additionally, Archer will offer backend software infrastructure and front-end booking applications to facilitate urban air mobility services.
First Flying Taxi Operations in the UAE
Archer will be the first company in the UAE to introduce flying taxi services. The Midnight aircraft is a piloted, four-passenger eVTOL designed for rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charging time. The aircraft aims to reduce travel time between emirates from 60–90 minutes by car to just 10–30 minutes by air.
According to reports, the expected cost of travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi using a flying taxi is estimated to be between Dh800 and Dh1,500, while fares within Dubai could be around Dh350.
Manufacturing and Expansion Plans
Under the agreement, Archer will manufacture its Midnight aircraft in the UAE to supply the wider region. The company is also working closely with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and other regional partners to ensure a smooth introduction of electric air taxis in Abu Dhabi later this year.
In addition to Archer’s project in Abu Dhabi, Joby Aviation is collaborating with Dubai authorities to launch a similar flying taxi service. In January 2025, Dubai announced the country’s first commercial vertiport for flying taxis, named Dubai International Vertiport (DXV), located near Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Industry Leaders’ Statements
Nader Al Hammadi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Aviation, highlighted the company’s expertise in developing scalable urban air mobility services and emphasized the significance of launching the region’s first electric air taxi service in Abu Dhabi.
Adam Goldstein, CEO and Founder of Archer, expressed enthusiasm for the company’s partnership with Abu Dhabi Aviation, stating, “The unveiling of our Launch Edition program marks the beginning of the next chapter for Archer. 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.”
Future Prospects
As part of its commercialization program, Archer aims to deploy the Midnight aircraft in multiple early adopter markets ahead of the aircraft’s type certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The introduction of flying taxis in the UAE signals a transformative step towards the future of urban mobility, offering faster and more efficient travel solutions.
