Archer Aviation is positioning Abu Dhabi to become the world’s first city with a commercial electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi service, with operations scheduled to begin in 2025, reports Forbes. The Californie-based company recently secured crucial agreements with eight public and private entities in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone in urban air mobility development.

The announcement represents a major step forward in the commercialization of eVTOL technology, backed by substantial regulatory and infrastructure support from the UAE government. Archer’s Chief Commercial Officer Nikhil Goel, who previously co-founded Uber Elevate, revealed that the company has secured comprehensive partnerships with key stakeholders including Etihad Airways, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Falcon Aviation, and GAL.

“We have all the pieces in place,” Goel explained. “The technology is there, the funding is there, and now we have the local and federal support scheme.”

The GCAA has established an expedited regulatory pathway specifically designed to enable safe operations while accelerating the launch timeline compared to other global markets.

The Midnight aircraft, Archer’s flagship eVTOL vehicle, boasts impressive specifications that set it apart from traditional helicopters. Operating on a 400kWh battery system, the aircraft can achieve cruising speeds of 156 mph while carrying four passengers and a pilot, along with luggage. The vehicle’s range extends from 20 to 50 miles for typical operations, with maximum capabilities reaching up to 100 miles.

Particularly noteworthy is the aircraft’s safety architecture, which incorporates multiple redundancies across critical systems. The propulsion system features 12 electric rotors, allowing continued safe operation even if multiple rotors fail. Additionally, the aircraft’s wing design enables gliding capabilities as a backup safety measure, while the battery system employs diagonal cross-linking to prevent complete power loss.

Abu Dhabi’s selection as the launch city stems from several strategic advantages. The emirate’s geography, spanning 84% of the UAE and encompassing over 200 islands, presents ideal conditions for air taxi operations. Initial routes will likely connect key transportation hubs, including airports, while future expansion could facilitate rapid transit between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The project has garnered significant financial backing, with Archer securing a $6.2 billion order book from major global airlines including United Airlines, Southwest, IndiGo, Etihad, and Japan Airlines. The company’s total investment exceeds $1.5 billion, positioning it among the few eVTOL developers with both sufficient funding and functioning production aircraft.

Infrastructure requirements remain relatively modest, with the Midnight requiring only an 18-meter by 18-meter landing pad – comparable to traditional helicopter facilities. This flexibility in infrastructure needs could accelerate adoption across various urban environments.

While initial services will likely command premium pricing, Archer aims to achieve cost parity with ground-based ride-hailing services as operations scale. The company emphasizes that air taxis will complement rather than replace existing transportation options, offering an additional solution for urban mobility challenges.

The launch in Abu Dhabi could serve as a proof of concept for global expansion, with other Gulf Cooperation Council nations expressing interest in similar services. However, regulatory hurdles and the need for high-level political support may slow adoption in European and American markets compared to the UAE’s more streamlined approach.

As urban populations continue to grow, with projections indicating that two-thirds of the global population will live in cities by 2050, the development of three-dimensional transportation solutions becomes increasingly critical. Archer’s imminent launch in Abu Dhabi represents a significant step toward addressing these emerging urban mobility challenges through sustainable aviation technology.