Abu Dhabi set to launch air taxi services by 2026 with new hybrid heliport
The new heliport will accommodate aircraft such as Archer's Midnight, an all-electric air taxi designed for short-distance urban travel. PHOTO: KHALEEJ TIMES
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The United Arab Emirates has taken a significant leap toward integrating air taxis into its transport network, with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) granting design approval for the country's first hybrid heliport. The facility, to be constructed at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Zayed Port, will cater to both traditional helicopters and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Announced on Wednesday, the hybrid heliport is the first of its kind in the region and is a key component in the UAE's vision of a connected, sustainable urban mobility ecosystem. The initiative is being developed through a strategic partnership involving AD Ports Group, Falcon Aviation Services, and US-based Archer Aviation.
'The hybrid heliport will serve as a key launch point for the Abu Dhabi Air Taxi service, planned for rollout by 2026, connecting key locations across the city with quiet and efficient air mobility solutions,' the GCAA confirmed in a statement.
The location was selected for its strategic value. Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, one of the busiest hubs for the regional cruise industry, hosts over 650,000 visitors annually and provides direct access to cultural landmarks including the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Saadiyat Cultural District.
The new heliport will accommodate aircraft such as Archer's Midnight, an all-electric air taxi designed for short-distance urban travel. Archer has identified Abu Dhabi as a key early market, with test flights of the Midnight expected to begin this summer.
Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer at Archer Aviation, highlighted the advantages of integrating with existing infrastructure. 'Currently, there are more than 70 helipads in Abu Dhabi. So, there's a really great opportunity,' he said. 'We plan to leverage the existing helipads, then add electrification to those facilities so that we can go launch quickly and scale up rapidly with minimal capital.'
The project also marks a world-first on the regulatory front. The GCAA is the first civil aviation authority globally to develop specific regulatory standards for hybrid infrastructure — ensuring the safe and seamless operation of both helicopters and eVTOLs from the same platform. These standards are expected to be published by July 2025.
'Through our close collaboration with Archer, AD Ports Group, and Falcon Aviation Services, we are enabling a future where sustainable, high-tech air transport becomes a core part of our urban landscape,' said GCAA Director-General Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi. 'This approval represents a new era for civil aviation, driven by partnership and vision.'
Archer CEO and co-founder Adam Goldstein echoed the sentiment: 'Leveraging existing aviation assets is a cornerstone of our launch strategy. It allows us to move both quickly and safely — getting critical infrastructure ready ahead of our planned commercial air taxi launch.'
Currently, Falcon Aviation Services already offers heli-tours from the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, giving visitors panoramic views of the city. The addition of eVTOL air taxis promises to transform these skies into arteries of urban transportation, marking a bold new chapter in the UAE's aviation ambitions.
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