Flying taxis in Abu Dhabi and Dubai skies by next year, says Archer chief executive

Flying taxis are expected to hit Abu Dhabi and Dubai skies as early as 2025, a year earlier than projected, the chief executive of US company Archer Aviation has said.

The use of eVTOL – electric vertical take-off and landing – aircraft has the potential to cut travel times significantly between the two emirates, Adam Goldstein said.

California-based Archer first teamed up with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office in October, with plans at that time to start all-electric air taxi operations in the UAE in 2026.

“Trips that used to take 60 to 90 minutes on the ground, we can fly you in 10 minutes,” Mr Goldstein said.

“It will make everybody’s lives better, will be very safe and very enjoyable experience and will be the start of an aviation revolution.”

Mr Goldstein did not specify if these flying cars will be the Midnight eVTOL the company is developing.

The first Midnight eVTOLs will be operated by pilots and this would be “the best way to actually get through the adoption period”, considering “millions” would be interested in riding these next-generation vehicles, Mr Goldstein said.

The Midnight aircraft can carry up to four passengers – plus the pilot – and can fly up to 161km at a speed of up to 241kph.

Being positioned by Archer as a potential replacement for helicopters, “eVTOLs have tremendous benefits that go beyond being sustainable”, Mr Goldstein said.

“And because they’re electric, they can be scaled at very high rates and can be flown a lot, driving the total overall cost down,” he said.

The integration of autonomous capabilities, the industry’s cornerstone technology that is being positioned to ultimately result in pilot-less eVTOLs, will be “the path to scaling [operations and adoption]” of these aircraft, Mr Goldstein added.

The UAE has sought to become a leader in smart transport systems as part of its efforts to promote and integrate sustainability.

In February, Dubai firmed up its plans to introduce flying taxis to the emirate by 2026, with agreements reached with Joby Aviation and Skyports Infrastructure.

Also last month, another California VTOL maker, Odys Aviation, said it expected VTOLs in Gulf skies by 2028.