Archer Aviation, an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer, recently announced a partnership with Falcon Aviation to develop advanced air mobility (AAM) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Both companies will build a vertiport network in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to enable flights between the two cities.  

The Agreement

Archer Aviation and Falcon will work together to develop vertiports in high-traffic cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These ports will cut the average travel time, which can take over two hours by car, to as little as 30 minutes from takeoff to landing. The veriports will be built at Falcon Heliport, The Palm in Dubai, and the Marina Mall heliport in Abu Dhabi. 

Archer's Midnight, a four-passenger electric flying car, stands at the core of this endeavor. By offering a quieter, cleaner, and potentially faster alternative to helicopters, Midnight aims to revolutionize travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The company is the first to announce an eVTOL route between the UAE's two largest cities, which are major international business and tourist destinations.

Archer's Founder and CEO Adam Goldstein said about the partnership:

"Partnering with established operators such as Falcon Aviation, as well as the capital of the Emirates with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, has been key to quickly building our presence in the region. We look forward to paving the way for the introduction of our Midnight aircraft to the region which will set the stage for the UAE to become a global leader in urban air mobility." 

Archer Aviation and Falcon have made great leaps in the UAE, expanding fast and rapidly with success in its heliports. Falcon Aviation's CEO Ramandeep Oberoi said:

 "For nearly two decades, Falcon Aviation has been at the forefront of helicopter passenger transport in the UAE. Our partnership with Archer is a leap into the future, as we prepare to offer flying car services together in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, continuing our tradition of world-class transportation solutions."

Meanwhile, Archer's Chief Commercial Officer Nikhil Goel commented:

"We have made rapid progress in the UAE over the past three months since announcing Abu Dhabi and Dubai will be home to our first international Midnight flights as soon as 2025. We're proud to be the first to announce plans to operate between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, along with vertiport infrastructure at both ends of the commuter journey."

This deal seals the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in 2023 when Falcon Aviation agreed to operate scores of Archer's Midnight flying cars. Both companies seem to be committed to improving the environment and travel time, with Archer's goal being to get 60–90-minute drives by car to an estimated 10-30 minute electric air taxi flights. 

Archer Aviation 

Archer Aviation is a California-based company leading the development of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Their flagship product, Midnight, is a four-passenger flying car designed for urban air mobility. Midnight boasts quiet operation and zero emissions thanks to its electric propulsion system, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional helicopters.

Founded in 2018, Archer has gained significant interest with its innovative approach to transportation. The company secured a major partnership with United Airlines to purchase hundreds of eVTOL aircraft, and their recent collaboration with Falcon Aviation in the UAE highlights their ambitions to be the best in the industry. As Archer continues to improve its technology and secure regulatory approvals, it is starting to position itself as a key player in shaping the future of urban air travel.

Falcon Aviation

Established in 2006, Falcon Aviation is an aviation services company based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. They serve niche clients in the business aviation and offshore oil and gas support sectors within the UAE and the wider Middle East and Africa region. 

Falcon Aviation's services include aircraft chartering for business and leisure travel, with scenic helicopter routes to flights for oil ports. The company offers aircraft management solutions and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services to keep their clients' fleets in top condition. They also operate fixed-base operations (FBOs) at key airports, offering ground handling, fueling, and other support services for visiting aircraft. 

The recent partnership with Archer Aviation marks a brave step forward for Falcon Aviation. Using their aircraft operations and infrastructure management expertise, they're set to become a key facilitator in establishing the world's first commercially viable flying car network.

This project cements its reputation as a courageous company and opens doors to exciting new possibilities in the eVTOL sector. With an expected launch in 2025, Dubai and Abu Dhabi could become the first cities in the world to offer a commercially viable flying car network. This project has the potential to not only revolutionize travel within the UAE but also serve as an example for further development and adoption of eVTOL technology on a global scale.