With Support from the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI), Archer Aviation Begins Flying Taxi Tests in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – July 2, 2025 – Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) announced today the successful test flight of its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft “Midnight” in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone in the company’s mission to expand commercial operations across the UAE and the broader region.
The test flight took place at Al Bateen Executive Airport and was conducted with the support of Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster. It was attended by senior representatives from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), Abu Dhabi Aviation, Abu Dhabi Airports, and regional partners of Archer.
The objective of the flight was to evaluate the performance and operational readiness of the “Midnight” aircraft under the region’s challenging climate conditions, including high temperatures, humidity, and dust levels, to ensure its preparedness for commercial deployment.
As part of its strategic expansion plans, Archer aims to broaden its test flight program in the UAE to gather additional operational data to support certification efforts and pave the way for regional commercial operations.
H.E. Badr Al Olama, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, stated:
“This test exemplifies Abu Dhabi’s forward-thinking vision to become a global leader in advanced air mobility. Through our Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster, we offer companies like Archer a perfect environment to test and certify next-generation intelligent vehicles.”
Adam Goldstein, Founder and CEO of Archer Aviation, added:
“Our initial tests in the UAE represent a major step toward our goal of commercial operations in Abu Dhabi. Conducting these tests during the summer provides us with critical data to support certification and operational plans, both in the UAE and the United States.”
This test flight was conducted as part of a joint testing program between Archer and Abu Dhabi Aviation, focused on launching air taxi services in the emirate. It follows Archer’s recent regulatory approval to design the first hybrid vertiport in the UAE, located at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal in Zayed Port, and ongoing partnerships with leading regional operators.
Through its electric air taxi testing and operation program, Archer aims to establish a strong footprint in global high-growth markets—starting with Abu Dhabi, which is positioning itself as a global hub for advanced air mobility. This initiative reinforces the UAE’s commitment to innovation in transportation and its efforts to develop sustainable mobility solutions.
