Latest news with #Alhinai
Al Etihad
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Al Etihad
Archer completes first urban air taxi test flight in Abu Dhabi
2 July 2025 20:39 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)Archer Aviation has completed the first urban test flight of its electric air taxi in Abu Dhabi, marking a major milestone in the UAE's ambition to lead the future of air mobility. The successful vertical take-off and landing flight was carried out at Al Bateen Executive Airport in the heart of the city at 7am, with Archer executives and Abu Dhabi officials hailing it as a critical first step towards commercial launch. 'This is our first global launch market. This was a vertical take-off and landing flight - the first step in our flight test operation,' Dr. Talib Alhinai, General Manager for Archer Aviation in the UAE, told Aletihad following the flight. Conducting the flight in real UAE conditions was crucial to proving the viability of the concept, Dr. Alhinai said. 'Our initial flight test operations in the UAE are focusing on evaluating the aircraft's speed, core performance in specific conditions, including humidity, temperature, and dust exposure. This also allows us to validate readiness for commercial deployment,' he said. The tests carried out in Abu Dhabi's summer environment would be key to ensuring the air taxi can perform reliably year-round. Expanding the trial programme is already underway, Dr. Alhinai said, with plans to expand the flight envelope and test pilot sites in the UAE throughout the year. 'This test flight took place in Abu Dhabi city executive airport with the backdrop of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. According to my knowledge, no eVTOL flight has taken place in an urban environment in Abu Dhabi before,' he said. Al Bateen airport is right in the middle of Abu Dhabi Island, and for us, this was a great first step and a great first place to launch our programme.' Roadmap for Urban Operations Initial passenger services are set to launch within Abu Dhabi city, before the network is expanded, Dr. Alhinai the full list of vertiport locations remains under wraps for now, Archer says the initial network will offer urban connectivity for residents and visitors, with further details expected to be announced soon. Dr. Alhinai also highlighted Archer's collaboration with local stakeholders to integrate air taxis seamlessly into the capital's broader mobility network. This was echoed by Omran Malek, Head of the Smart Autonomous Vehicle Industry Cluster at the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), a major stakeholder in Archer. The emirate is building an entire ecosystem for urban air mobility, covering training, maintenance, regulatory integration, and manufacturing, Malek said. Drawing an analogy with the evolution of smartphones, he explained that air taxis are no longer an imaginary concept; they now represent a future industry. 'Think about the iPhones at the time in the early 2000s: If I told you then how much the iPhone is doing now, you would say that's impossible,' he told Aletihad on Wednesday. 'What we're doing, especially within ADIO and the SAVI cluster, is imagining what the next 20 years are going to look like in terms of mobility, logistics, and liveability.'Malek argued that amid population growth and higher traffic volumes, skyward would be the way to go. 'If we look at the airspace above you, it is empty. It's unutilised. How can we tap into that? How can we reduce emissions? How can we reduce the travel time?' he said. Malek emphasised that urban air mobility would not be an exclusive service for the wealthy. Rather, it would be priced at a point that could make it a real alternative for many Abu Dhabi residents, he said. The goal, he added, is to build enough infrastructure and air vehicles so that 'it will be scalable, and you can use it on a daily basis.'Outlining multiple potential use cases, he cited that air taxis could also serve sectors such as tourism, logistics, and healthcare for urgent medical deliveries. 'As battery technologies evolve, you will see the range of [use cases] extending, and you would have a choice between taking the high-speed train from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah or taking air taxi,' he said. Beyond Air Taxis Malek emphasised that these air mobility trials are driven by a clear goal of commercialisation.'We are not testing just to test. We're testing to commercialise. We identified that 70% of demand is on logistics, from food delivery to blood supplies and shore-to-ship deliveries,' he said. To assess demand for air mobility services, he noted that Abu Dhabi has conducted a comprehensive survey involving 52 government entities. The resulting data is guiding ADIO's priorities as it works with private sector partners like Archer. Beyond air taxis, Malek said the SAVI cluster is working on use cases for drones in logistics that could be in service even sooner. 'If we specifically talk about Archer, that's the next milestone in the coming months. If we're talking about the drones and drone logistics, it will be a lot sooner than that.'
Gulf Insider
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf Insider
UAE Air Taxi Trials to Begin This Year
The UAE will see air taxi trials take off this year as it prepares for next-generation transport. Dr. Talib Alhinai, General Manager of Archer Aviation, said that the trial flights of the company's first fully electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft 'Midnight,' is set to begin before the end of 2025. Speaking on the sidelines of the 'Make it in the Emirates' forum, Alhinai said the aircraft marks a major step in the country's urban air mobility goals, with operations set to begin in Abu Dhabi ahead of full commercial rollout. He said that Archer recently opened a manufacturing facility in Georgia, USA, boasting an initial annual production capacity of 650 aircraft with plans to scale up to 2,400. Regarding potential manufacturing in the UAE, Alhinai said the company has already signed a framework agreement with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to establish a research centre and explore local production, with further details to be announced soon. Designed for sustainable urban transport, Midnight can carry four passengers and a pilot, operates entirely on electric power, and takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter. However, its design and operational profile are tailored for efficient short-distance flights in the UAE. Alhinai said initial test flights will take place in unpopulated areas, gradually expanding to urban zones as part of the phased approach to full deployment. A formal date for commercial service has not been set. He said that the specific date for the commencement of commercial service has not yet been determined but will be announced in due course, pending the completion of all necessary technical and operational requirements On the aircraft's technical features, Alhinai explained that Midnight is equipped with a fixed wing and 12 electric motors—six at the front and six at the rear. The front motors can rotate between 90 and 0 degrees, facilitating a seamless transition from vertical ascent to horizontal flight in 45 seconds. Also read: UAE Central Bank Imposes Dh200 Million Fine On Exchange House
Hi Dubai
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hi Dubai
Archer Aviation Prepares Midnight eVTOL for Test Flights in UAE by End of 2025
Archer Aviation will begin trial flights of its fully electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Midnight, in the UAE before the end of 2025, marking a significant step in the country's urban air mobility ambitions. Dr. Talib Alhinai, General Manager of Archer Aviation, made the announcement during the 'Make it in the Emirates' forum. He said the company plans to launch operations in Abu Dhabi first, with a phased rollout leading to eventual commercial services. Midnight is designed for sustainable, short-distance urban travel. It can carry four passengers and a pilot, operates fully on electric power, and takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter. A key technical feature is its 12 electric motors—six at the front and six at the rear—with front motors capable of rotating to allow a smooth 45-second shift from vertical to horizontal flight. Initial test flights will take place in remote, unpopulated areas before expanding to urban zones. While no date has been confirmed for commercial service, Alhinai said it would follow once all technical and operational benchmarks are met. Production of Midnight is already underway at Archer's new facility in Georgia, USA, which currently has the capacity to produce 650 aircraft annually, with plans to scale up to 2,400. Alhinai also revealed that Archer has signed a framework agreement with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to establish a local research centre and explore manufacturing opportunities within the UAE. Further details are expected in the near future. News Source: Emirates News Agency
The National
23-04-2025
- The National
Oman to make its debut at Venice Architecture Biennale
Oman has announced its inaugural participation in the Venice Architecture Biennale. Curated by Omani architect Majeda Alhinai, the sultanate's pavilion is called Traces, and is themed around the concept of Sablah, a traditional communal space used for hosting guests or having discussions. The pavilion aims to explore how architecture can preserve cultural heritage while evolving to meet contemporary needs. Usually located at the heart of a village or neighbourhood, the Sablah is a welcoming place where people gather to exchange ideas, share meals and socialise. 'As an architect and curator, I believe meaningful architectural solutions emerge when we truly understand the deep connections between place, people and collective memory,' says Alhinai. 'Traces highlights the importance of social cohesion, dialogue and communal spaces in shaping the built environment. Architecture is not just about structure, but about creating spaces that foster connection and shared experience. I wanted to create a space that could be redefined and reshaped over time, much like the conversations, meetings and encounters that naturally unfold within a traditional Sablah.' Traces is designed to be easily reassembled and repurposed into various configurations, allowing it to create public and always new spaces after the exhibition. Rather than constructing a temporary structure, the pavilion uses a modular design that can be used in different contexts. The structure, which is 10x10 square metres, will have no distinct inside or outside, allowing people to move freely through it and to remodel and create their own space. Traces will feature movable seating crafted from natural, palm-woven materials and use colours reminiscent of Omani pottery clay and sand. The pavilion will also have movable seating, ideal for public talks taking place throughout the Venice Biennale. By reimagining the Sablah, the pavilion explores how the structure can inspire adaptable and resilient communal spaces by bridging tradition and modernity while reflecting values of hospitality, dialogue and community. Although deeply rooted in Omani tradition, Traces aims to be a global model for designing inclusive, adaptable environments that foster shared responsibility and connection. It also demonstrates how multi-functional communal spaces can address both local and universal challenges, promoting interaction and inclusivity. The Oman Pavilion will be open to the public from May 10 to November 23
