Archer Aviation has announced plans to launch the world’s first passenger flights of its Midnight eVTOL aircraft in Abu Dhabi as early as 2026, positioning the UAE as its “second home” market outside the United States.
The company has built a strong presence in the Emirates over the past 18 months, finalising a framework agreement with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), completing full flight envelope testing in desert conditions, and securing partnerships with key stakeholders including the General Civil Aviation Authority, Abu Dhabi Airports, Abu Dhabi Aviation, and Etihad Aviation Training.
Regulatory and Infrastructure Support
Dr Talib Alhinai, Archer’s UAE lead and general manager, said the country’s regulatory flexibility and unified industrial strategy have enabled rapid progress. Abu Dhabi has already identified ten initial vertiport sites, including Zayed International Airport and Al Bateen Executive Airport, and established an operational framework to integrate eVTOL services.
“We will start with at least two aircraft, but we anticipate the UAE being a market where we will be able to deploy hundreds in the long term,” Alhinai commented.
Certification and Operations
While Archer continues to pursue FAA type certification in the US, the first passenger flights are expected to take place in Abu Dhabi thanks to the UAE’s supportive regulatory pathway. Piloted transition flights will begin in the US before being replicated in the Emirates.
Manufacturing Ambitions
Archer is also exploring plans to manufacture Midnight aircraft locally. A 2024 agreement with ADIO outlines a pathway for production in the UAE, complementing the company’s main facility in Georgia, which has capacity for up to 650 aircraft annually. The UAE line would serve markets across the Middle East, Africa, India, and Southeast Asia.
Building Public Confidence
A key part of Archer’s strategy is public acceptance. The company is showcasing Midnight at the Dubai Airshow to familiarise consumers with the aircraft and its safety features. “The public needs to see it, touch it, feel it, maybe see it overhead flying over them, and then they’ll feel confident to take a flight,” Alhinai said.
Strategic Significance
For Archer, Abu Dhabi offers a rare combination of political will, regulatory engagement, infrastructure investment, and appetite for early adoption. With strong local partners and a clear path to operations, the emirate is set to become a proving ground for urban air mobility at scale.