Archer Aviation and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) have announced a groundbreaking framework agreement, marking a significant leap forward in advancing urban air mobility in the region. Archer is a leader in the development of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. During the signing event, Archer showcased the latest advancements in urban mobility, driving discussions, collaboration, and innovation across the sector.
The agreement aims to accelerate Archer’s planned commercial air taxi operations in the UAE, which is set to launch as soon as next year. The agreement encompasses in-country manufacturing, operations and training across the region. Archer’s agreement with ADIO positions Abu Dhabi as one of the world’s leaders in promoting urban air mobility. Hence, the emirate plans to commence air taxi operations with Archer’s Midnight aircraft as soon as next year.
Collaboration areas
Under the agreement, ADIO and Archer will spearhead vertiport construction. They will also facilitate operational support for air taxi operations, and oversee the local manufacturing of Archer’s Midnight aircraft. Additionally, ADIO will focus on nurturing Emirati talent through workforce development programs and establishing Archer’s international headquarters and a center of excellence in Abu Dhabi.
“The agreement underscores Abu Dhabi’s strong commitment to Archer and conviction to become a global hub for urban air mobility,” said Archer founder and CEO Adam Goldstein. With ADIO’s support, Archer will continue leading the transformation of urban transportation in the emirate and across the globe.
For his part, Badr Al Olama, director general of ADIO, emphasized the office’s pride in partnering with Archer and its commitment to supporting the company’s growth and innovation endeavors. We are excited “to develop a comprehensive investment framework that will accelerate its progress towards manufacturing and operating its Midnight aircraft in the UAE”, Al Olama added.
Read: Operational approval granted to UAE’s first vertiport for flying vehicles
Collaboration’s evolution
In 2023, ADIO and Archer announced their memorandum of understanding to launch ADIO’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster. The cluster aims to transform the future of urban mobility globally by supporting the innovation and commercialization of smart and autonomous vehicles across land, sea and air. Therefore, the framework agreement marks a culmination of six months of close collaboration between the two entities.
Notably, ADIO and Archer will continue to work with the latter’s partners to accelerate the company’s progress in the region. With support from investors like Mubadala, Archer’s partner operators Falcon Aviation, Air Chateau and GAL-AMMROC have announced plans to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul support for Archer’s eVTOL aircraft.
Archer’s vision is to revolutionize urban transportation by offering efficient, sustainable and cost-effective electric air taxi services. It seeks to replace 60- to 90-minute commutes by car with 10- to 20-minute electric air taxi flights. The company’s Midnight four-passenger aircraft design ensures rapid and quiet flights. Moreover, it is able to perform rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between journeys.
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