Abu Dhabi will be the first city in the region to operate US-based Archer Aviation’s ‘Midnight’ flying taxi, Archer Aviation has reported. ADA has signed a deal with the US-based electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) manufacturer. Archer is introducing the Midnight ‘Launch Edition’ commercialisation programme with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) as the first customer to deploy Midnight.
Archer’s aim is to transform urban travel by replacing 60-90 minute car journeys with around 10-20 minute electric air taxi flights that are safe, sustainable, low noise and cost-competitive with ground transport. Archer’s Midnight is a four-passenger manned aircraft designed for fast back-to-back flights with minimal recharging time between flights. Archer designs and develops key advanced technologies and aircraft needed to enable the future of aviation.
Archer’s Launch Edition Program
Archer’s Launch Edition Program aims to create a pragmatic and repeatable commercialization roadmap for the deployment of Midnight in dozens of early adopter markets. This approach allows Archer to gain operational experience, generate revenue and continue to build long-term demand. Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) plans to deploy the first Midnight aircraft as the company’s first Launch Edition customer. Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) is the largest commercial helicopter operator in the Middle East and a leading aviation solutions provider specializing in offshore oil support, search and rescue, medical evacuation and charter operations.
Archer plans to deploy an initial fleet of Midnight aircraft to ADA in addition to a team of pilots, technicians and engineers to support entry-level operations. Archer will continue to work closely with ADA and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to safely provide air taxi services in the region. When Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) announced the “Launch Edition” commercialization program for its Midnight aircraft, the goal of the program was to create a pragmatic and repeatable commercialization guide for deploying Midnight in dozens of early adopter markets.
Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) is the first Archer Launch Edition customer and plans to deploy the first fleet of Midnight aircraft. Archer personnel will now work with Abu Dhabi Aviation to fly Midnight in the country, focusing on passenger flights in Abu Dhabi. They will also collaborate on pilot training, flight operations and community engagement. In addition to the Launch Edition aircraft, Archer plans to provide ADA with a team of pilots, technicians and engineers to support the initial operational ramp-up, helping to ensure a safe and efficient deployment.
Archer also plans to provide the software backend infrastructure and external booking engine to support the operation of the urban air vehicles during the Launch Edition program. The partnership between Archer and Abu Dhabi Aviation was formalized this week at a signing ceremony with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, where Abu Dhabi Aviation signed a memorandum of understanding setting out the framework for financing the deployment of the Midnight Launch Edition aircraft.
Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA): First Fleet of Midnight Aircraft
His Excellency Nader Al Hammadi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Aviation, said: “We have been watching the progress in eVTOL technology for many years and we are proud to be working with Archer to bring this innovation to the UAE. Abu Dhabi Aviation has the expertise to develop scalable urban air transport services and we are delighted to be leading the way in launching the region’s first electric air taxi service, starting right here in Abu Dhabi.”
Archer will continue to work closely with ADA and the UAE General Authority of Civil Aviation (GCAA) towards the launch of electric air taxis in Abu Dhabi. “The launch of our Launch Edition programme marks the start of the next chapter for Archer. This is how we will take Midnight from the production line to our first customers, and it is a blueprint we will launch repeatedly as we scale our operations globally. Thank you Abu Dhabi Aviation for being our first Launch Edition customer. “We have a big year ahead of us,” said Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer.