Abu Dhabi Conducts Flying Taxi Test Flight

Abu Dhabi has conducted test flights of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi services. Archer Aviation's Midnight eVTOL aircraft flew at Al Bateen Executive Airport in the emirate. Test flights are assessing the aircraft's vertical take-off and landing performance under UAE-specific conditions, including high temperatures, humidity, and dust exposure, ahead of its commercial deployment.

According to Abu Dhabi Media Office, the company will expand its flight-testing programme for Midnight in the region, collecting additional data to support its certification and commercialisation plans in both the UAE and other major regional markets. Senior leadership from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the Integrated Transport Centre, Abu Dhabi Aviation and Abu Dhabi Airports attended the flight test. Archer is pushing forward with its certification and commercialisation in the UAE and beyond. This progress is fueled by recent achievements, including the regulatory design approval for the UAE's first hybrid heliport at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal in Zayed Port.