1:44 am - February 14, 2026
**Abu Dhabi**: The Abu Dhabi Aviation Group has partnered with Archer Aviation to introduce electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, aiming to revolutionise urban transport in the UAE. The initiative includes launching air taxi services with reduced commute times between Abu Dhabi and Dubai by the end of 2023.
The Abu Dhabi Aviation Group has announced a significant endeavour aimed at revolutionising urban transport with the introduction of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the United Arab Emirates and beyond. In a formal agreement with US-based Archer Aviation, the group plans to deploy the ‘first fleet’ of Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft globally, beginning in 2023.
This initiative is part of Archer’s ‘Launch Edition’ programme, which aims to kick off from Abu Dhabi in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA). Nader Al Hammadi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Aviation, expressed enthusiasm about the venture, stating, “We are excited to lead the way in launching the region’s electric air taxi service, starting right here in Abu Dhabi.”
The initiative is set to establish an initial fleet in coordination with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to ensure a safe deployment of air taxi services throughout the region. The projected fare for rides is expected to range between Dh800 and Dh1,500, with the goal of significantly reducing commute times. The air taxis are designed to replace traditional car journeys that can take 60 to 90 minutes with estimated flights of only 10 to 20 minutes. Services are anticipated to cater to busy routes, notably between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, potentially allowing travel times of under 30 minutes.
The Archer Midnight is a piloted aircraft intended to carry four passengers and is designed for frequent flights with minimal charging intervals. The partnership between ADA and Archer is not only focused on launching the air taxi service but is also aimed at creating a sustainable model that can be adapted for various markets. The companies will collaborate to develop a ‘pragmatic and repeatable playbook’ for commercial deployment of the Midnight aircraft in early-adopter markets. Furthermore, Archer plans to support ADA with a team of pilots, technicians, and engineers to enhance operational readiness for the forthcoming launches.
Adam Goldstein, the CEO and founder of Archer, highlighted the strategic nature of their collaboration, stating, “This is how we’ll bring Midnight from the manufacturing line to our first customers—and it’s a playbook we’ll run repeatedly as we scale our operations globally. Thank you to Abu Dhabi Aviation for being our first Launch Edition customer. We have a big year ahead.”
The United Arab Emirates has previously demonstrated itself as an early adopter of innovative transport solutions, particularly in the realm of eVTOL technology. Nader Al Hammadi also noted, “We have been observing the advancements in eVTOL technology for years. We are proud to partner with Archer to bring this innovation to the UAE.” Abu Dhabi Aviation claims a leadership position in the aviation sector within the region and describes itself as the largest helicopter operator in the Middle East, asserting its capability to foster scalable urban air mobility services.
In parallel with these developments, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has entered into an agreement with Joby Aviation, which is similarly engaged in the all-electric aircraft sector, to launch air taxi services in the emirate by early 2026.
Transport industry analysts have suggested that if air taxi operations achieve a double-digit market share, the resulting impact could substantially alleviate road traffic congestion. Alongside the development of Etihad Rail, air taxi services are expected to vastly transform the transport and logistics landscape in the UAE.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://investors.archer.com/news/news-details/2024/Abu-Dhabi-and-Archer-Announce-Agreement-With-Cross-Industry-Stakeholders-To-Launch-First-Commercial-Electric-Air-Taxi-Flights/default.aspx – This source confirms the announcement of a collaboration between Abu Dhabi Aviation and Archer Aviation to establish the first commercial electric air taxi flights in Abu Dhabi, as stated in the article.
- https://www.urbanairmobilitynews.com/air-taxis/abu-dhabi-aviation-group-and-archer-to-deploy-midnight-evtol-aircraft-globally-this-year/ – This article elaborates on the deployment of Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft, detailing the plans to launch the air taxis in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Aviation and their focus on safe operations in coordination with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority.
- https://investors.archer.com/news/news-details/2025/Archer-Unveils-Midnight-Launch-Edition-Commercialization-Program-with-Abu-Dhabi-Aviation-ADA-As-First-Customer-Planning-to-Deploy-Midnight-This-Year/default.aspx – This source outlines Archer’s ‘Launch Edition’ program, confirming their aim to establish a fleet of Midnight aircraft in Abu Dhabi, aligning with the article’s claim about the initiative starting in 2023.
- https://www.wam.ae/en/article/15hk1rs-abu-dhabi-aviation-partner-with-archer-deploy – This source discusses the Memorandum of Understanding between Abu Dhabi Aviation and Archer, emphasizing their commitment to launching the air taxi service and the expected fare range mentioned in the article.
- https://www.urbanairmobilitynews.com/air-taxis/abu-dhabi-aviation-group-and-archer-to-deploy-midnight-evtol-aircraft-globally-this-year/ – This article reiterates the expected travel times for air taxi journeys between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, supporting the information about significantly reduced commute times as mentioned in the original article.
- https://investors.archer.com/news/news-details/2025/Archer-Unveils-Midnight-Launch-Edition-Commercialization-Program-with-Abu-Dhabi-Aviation-ADA-As-First-Customer-Planning-to-Deploy-Midnight-This-Year/default.aspx – It emphasizes Archer’s collaboration with Abu Dhabi Aviation to develop a sustainable urban air mobility framework, which corresponds to the article’s focus on creating a viable model for deploying the Midnight aircraft.
- https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitAFBVV95cUxNUVpuaDVjUHhZelhQVDJyUkRqbHQyblpXV0x6d3o5ZnRRRGxWRUJMNDdqRGtNVms3WUtzQkZRakd0cVJtSlNkVG1BblV3TVk4aVlvSUtBOGJXeUdERFVyQVZ5MGwxeGcyODh2bkFUY0N1cWI5ejVOWnFfbFhObDhBZVgzY3YxNTVFWHlvdFRiWU1XUWc0b0VKbGRPeHlnSFFKQ0ZveHByMmNaZFNySFJFaml5UlQ?oc=5&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2025/03/27/abu-dhabi-to-get-first-electric-aircraft-for-20-minute-air-taxi-trips/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative mentions planned deployments starting in 2023 and future developments in 2026, indicating recent updates. However, the article’s content structure and lack of specificity about current progress suggest it may lean on previous announcements or press releases.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
Direct quotes from Nader Al Hammadi and Adam Goldstein are provided. Given their roles, these quotes likely represent original statements, though their earliest known references were not found online.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from a news item via Google News, which typically aggregates content from various sources. Without specific attribution to a well-known publication, reliability is moderate but not assured.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
Claims about eVTOL technology and partnerships are plausible, given the UAE’s history of adopting innovative transport solutions. The involvement of reputable aviation companies supports the narrative’s plausibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be relatively fresh with plausible claims, though its exact sourcing remains unclear. The quotes seem original and support the credibility of the announcement. However, without more detailed verification of the partnership’s current status and a known reliable source, the assessment remains open.
