Archer Aviation, an American flying taxi company, will deliver another aircraft next year before kicking off commercial air taxi operations in the UAE, according to Nikhil Goel, Archer Aviation’s chief commercial officer.
Archer, known for producing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis, aims to start commercial services in 2026 in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Aviation.
The UAE’s aviation authority, GCAA, announced that air taxi certification will be finalized by Q3 2026.
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In July, Archer conducted a test flight of its Midnight aircraft near the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, part of its testing phase in the UAE to ensure efficient operations in hot conditions.
“It was a significant moment, being our first flight test outside the US and in the city’s heart. We have continued our test campaign in the region, planning more flights and delivering another aircraft here next year,” Goel noted in an interview.
He mentioned that flight tests will persist until passengers are onboard and the aircraft receives GCAA certification.
“Moreover, with our partner Abu Dhabi Aviation, we’ve begun the commercial phase of our partnership. They have already started making seven-figure payments in USD, which we’ve received. Next year, we will start recognizing company revenue,” Goel added.
Goel highlighted that certification efforts with the GCAA and the US FAA are advancing swiftly.
He also noted that other Middle Eastern countries are inspired by the UAE, attracting flying taxi operators to initiate operations in their regions.
“Across the Middle East, there’s a strong interest in implementing what Archer and the UAE’s GCAA are achieving in other countries,” Goel told Khaleej Times during the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week 2025 in the UAE capital.
The UAE is poised to be the first country worldwide to commercially launch flying taxis next year.
