Abu Dhabi is set to make history as the first city in the region to launch Archer Aviation’s ‘Midnight’ electric air taxi, marking a major leap in urban air mobility (UAM).
The groundbreaking announcement was made following a landmark agreement between Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) and US-based eVTOL manufacturer Archer Aviation.
Abu Dhabi Aviation Secures Midnight eVTOL Deal
ADA has signed a deal with Archer Aviation to become the first global ‘Launch Edition’ customer for the Midnight aircraft, with deliveries expected later this year. The agreement was formalized by Nader Al Hammadi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Aviation, and Badr Al Olama, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).
As part of the deal, ADA will fund the deployment of Midnight, positioning Abu Dhabi as the pioneering operator of electric air taxis in the Middle East.
Test Flights & Commercial Rollout
As previously reported by Khaleej Times, test flights for Midnight will begin in summer 2025, assessing performance under extreme temperatures before the official launch of air taxi services in the UAE capital.
Revolutionizing Urban Commutes
Archer’s Midnight eVTOL is designed to:
✔ Cut 60-90-minute car commutes down to just 10-20 minutes
✔ Carry four passengers plus a pilot
✔ Perform quick-turnaround flights with minimal charging time
Leadership & Vision
Nader Al Hammadi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Aviation, stated:
“We have monitored eVTOL advancements for years and are proud to partner with Archer to bring this innovation to the UAE. As the region’s largest helicopter operator, we have the expertise to scale urban air mobility. Abu Dhabi will lead the charge in launching electric air taxis.”
Building a Scalable UAM Ecosystem
Archer and ADA will collaborate to:
✅ Develop a commercial deployment strategy for Midnight
✅ Build operational expertise and revenue streams
✅ Strengthen long-term demand for urban air mobility
Additionally, Archer will provide:
🔧 Expert pilots, technicians, and engineers for smooth operations
📱 Integrated software, including a booking app, to support UAM services
Adam Goldstein, CEO & Founder of Archer Aviation, said:
“This partnership is how we’ll bring Midnight from production to passengers—and replicate this model globally. A big thank you to Abu Dhabi Aviation for being our first Launch Edition customer. An exciting year lies ahead!”
