UAE announces collaboration with US-based Archer for flying cars project
In a significant development, Archer, a US electric flying car manufacturer, is teaming up with Falcon Aviation, a UAE-based aviation services operator, to construct vertical airports known as vertical airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
UAE residents' aspiration to experience flying in a vehicle may soon become a reality by 2025
These vertiports, situated at Falcon Heliport at Atlantis the Palm in Dubai and the Marina Mall heliport in Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, will facilitate quick, electric air taxi flights, reducing a 60–90-minute car commute to an estimated 10–30-mminute journey. The aircraft, named Midnight, is designed to accommodate four passengers and operate rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between trips. Notably, these flights promise safety, minimal noise, and competitive pricing compared to ground transportation.
This initiative precedes the planned launch of the flying car service between the two emirates in 2025, marking Archer's inaugural international venture. Operating exclusively over water, the flying car will provide passengers with picturesque views of both the cityscape and the Arabian Sea.
Adam Goldstein, Archer's founder and CEO, expressed enthusiasm about introducing the Midnight aircraft to the region, foreseeing the UAE's emergence as a global leader in urban air mobility. Meanwhile, Captain Ramandeep Oberoi, CEO of Falcon Aviation, highlighted the company's extensive experience in helicopter passenger transport in the UAE.
Nikhil Goel, Archer's chief commercial officer, noted the swift progress made in the UAE since the announcement of the midnight flights in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in February 2024, aiming for initial operations as early as 2025.
In parallel, Joby Aviation, a US-based company developing all-electric aircraft for commercial passenger service, inked a deal with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to commence air taxi services by early 2026, with plans for initial operations by 2025. Joby also partnered with Skyports to design, construct, and manage four vertiport sites across Dubai, encompassing Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Downtown.
