In a move set to revolutionize travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Archer Aviation and Falcon Aviation have joined forces to develop cutting-edge vertiport infrastructure for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) flights.
The partnership aims to create vertiports at Falcon Heliport at Atlantis, the Palm in Dubai, and the Marina Mall heliport in Abu Dhabi’s Corniche. These vertiports will serve as crucial hubs for flying vehicles, facilitating passenger pick-ups and drop-offs, as well as battery charging or replacement.
Archer’s Midnight flying vehicle, designed for overwater operations, will connect the two Falcon vertiports, offering passengers a breathtaking aerial view of both cities. The journey, which typically takes two hours by road, is expected to be shortened to a mere 30 minutes by electric aerial vehicle (EAV).
“Partnering with established operators such as Falcon Aviation, as well as the capital of the Emirates with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, has been key to quickly building our presence in the region,” said Archer founder and CEO Adam Goldstein. “We look forward to paving the way for the introduction of our Midnight aircraft to the region which will set the stage for the UAE to become a global leader in urban air mobility.”
The UAE is poised to become Archer’s first international launch market, with plans for launch as soon as next year. This follows a deal with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, which included economic incentives to accelerate Archer’s growth in the region.
Archer has commenced construction of the first three of its flying taxi vehicles, which will be used for the federal approval process. The company is finalizing assembly for piloted EAVs, intended for flight testing and subsequent “for credit” flight testing with the FAA.
Joby Aviation, another prominent flying taxi developer, has also made strides in the industry, developing an air taxi capable of carrying a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph.
Other players in the field, such as Volocopter in Germany and EHang in China, are working on smaller EAVs designed to carry one or two people. EHang’s EAV is specifically designed for pilotless flight. Both Archer and Joby have been diligently developing their flying vehicles, with commercial use in the U.S. expected to commence in 2025 or 2026, pending all necessary FAA approvals.
(Source: Arab News | Auto Evolution)
