https://www.arabianbusiness.com/ :Abu Dhabi is building an emirate-wide air taxi network with more than 10 vertiports as authorities prepare for passenger operations.

Archer Aviation will supply its Midnight electric aircraft, while Abu Dhabi Aviation will operate the initial service. GCAA certification work remains active under a Restricted Type Certificate programme introduced in May 2026.

Integrated Transport Centre Acting Director General Dr Abdulla Hamad Al Ghfeli placed the latest launch timetable at late 2026 or early 2027. Khaleej Times reported the timetable on June 26 2026.

Abu Dhabi air taxi routes take shape
Abu Dhabi Investment Office confirmed an emirate-wide vertiport network exceeding 10 sites in November 2025.

Zayed International Airport and Al Bateen Executive Airport form two confirmed nodes. Planned connections include Yas Island, Saadiyat and Abu Dhabi Island. Authorities also plan links between major urban, business and tourism districts. Further intercity routes form part of later phases.

Archer identified Corniche, Saadiyat and western parts of Abu Dhabi among its strongest potential passenger markets during 2025.

Archer Chief Commercial Officer Nikhil Goel told The National that initial route selection focused on passenger demand and road congestion. Airport connections form a major component, with Corniche and Saadiyat identified for links to Zayed International Airport.

Archer planned to start with fewer than five Midnight aircraft. Each aircraft carries a pilot and up to four passengers.

Vertiports cover airports, tourism and healthcare
GCAA approved the design conversion of the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal helipad in April 2025.

Archer and Falcon Aviation planned charging equipment, landing infrastructure and safety upgrades for both helicopter and eVTOL operations. Cruise Terminal access places Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Corniche and Abu Dhabi Port within the planned network.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi joined the infrastructure pipeline in October 2025. Archer and the hospital plan to convert its existing helipad into a hybrid vertiport.

Passenger transport and time-critical organ logistics form the planned use cases. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi sits on Al Maryah Island, adding a major healthcare destination to the network.

Abu Dhabi Airports serves as anchor investor and primary delivery partner for the wider vertiport programme. Abu Dhabi Mobility and GCAA oversee transport integration, airspace requirements and regulatory compliance.

Midnight completes UAE flight testing
Archer flew Midnight at Al Bateen Executive Airport on July 2 2025.

Flight testing measured vertical takeoff and landing performance against UAE operating conditions, including high temperatures, humidity and dust. Abu Dhabi authorities, GCAA, Abu Dhabi Aviation and Abu Dhabi Airports observed the programme.

A subsequent UAE campaign at Al Ain Airport covered Midnight’s full eVTOL flight envelope. Tests included vertical takeoff, transition and wingborne flight. Archer confirmed completion of that campaign in November 2025.

Abu Dhabi Aviation became Archer’s launch operator during 2025 and plans an initial Midnight fleet. Archer also committed pilots, technicians, engineers and operating software to support deployment.

Certification sets the commercial timetable
GCAA moved Midnight into its Restricted Type Certificate programme on May 7 2026.

Archer became the first eVTOL manufacturer to enter that GCAA certification track. The programme provides a regulatory route for limited commercial operations while longer-term certification work continues.

Eight workstreams cover aircraft certification, operations, maintenance, pilot training, airspace, vertiports, security and regulatory oversight. Archer is also pursuing GCAA Design Organisation Approval and Production Organisation Approval.

Passenger pricing disclosed during 2025 placed Abu Dhabi city journeys at about $81 to $95 (AED300 to AED350). Interemirate journeys were estimated at $218 to $408 (AED800 to AED1,500). Archer told The National that final fares would depend on commercial conditions.

Abu Dhabi’s June 2026 timetable points to passenger services starting by year-end or early 2027. Certification completion, vertiport readiness and operational approvals remain the principal requirements before commercial flights begin.