Archer Aviation has entered into a cooperation agreement with companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to advance the development of electric air taxi services in Abu Dhabi, marking the company’s first expansion into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The agreement also includes plans to manufacture electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the Emirate.
The partnership solidifies Archer’s position as the first commercial air taxi operator in the UAE and the first eVTOL manufacturer in the region. The agreement brings together several key stakeholders, including Abu Dhabi Airports, Falcon Aviation Services, Etihad Aviation Training, and the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), among others. Archer aims to create a “robust ecosystem for eVTOL development” as part of a broader strategy to expand electric air travel operations in the region.
Falcon Aviation Services, a provider of charter and helicopter services in the UAE, emphasized the significance of this partnership. CEO Captain Raman Oberoi stated that the agreement “represents a significant milestone in the evolution of aviation” and expressed commitment to the successful integration of eVTOL operations in Abu Dhabi.
Archer’s planned manufacturing site in the UAE follows the company’s ongoing efforts to scale its operations. In 2022, Archer announced the establishment of a factory in Covington, Georgia, where it intends to produce its Midnight eVTOL, which can carry one pilot and four passengers on short-haul flights of up to 20 miles. Archer has already partnered with United Airlines and aims to manufacture 650 flying cabs annually, with plans to expand production in the coming decade.
Archer is targeting a Q4 2025 launch for its commercial air taxi operations in the UAE, following regulatory approvals and collaborations with the GCAA. The company’s ambitions in the region face competition from Lilium, a German eVTOL manufacturer that recently secured a deal for 50 air taxis in Saudi Arabia, although Lilium’s operations are facing delays due to insolvency proceedings.
Archer is backed by automotive giant Stellantis and collaborates with NASA on aircraft battery testing. The company has also secured orders for 100 Midnight aircraft to serve as air taxis in Japan.