Latest news with #NikhilGoel
Newsweek
28-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Electric Flying Taxi Service Prepares for Launch in Global Race
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new air taxi simulator has arrived in the United Arab Emirates as preparations advance for a dozen initial flying taxi routes across the country. Aircraft testing, pilot training, regulatory coordination and infrastructure work are part of U.S. Archer Aviation's plans to launch flying taxis trials during the third quarter of 2025, the company told Newsweek. Why It Matters Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, aims to become the first city in the Middle East to launch electric flying taxis—positioning American technology at the forefront of global urban air mobility and potentially opening new international markets for U.S. aerospace firms. Archer's Midnight eVTOL aircraft. Archer's Midnight eVTOL aircraft. Archer Aviation Handout What To Know Archer Aviation has officially delivered its Midnight flight simulator to Etihad Aviation Training headquarters in Abu Dhabi for pilot training, the company explained in an email to Newsweek. Abu Dhabi Aviation Group (ADA) will fund and deploy Archer Aviation's Midnight, a piloted four-passenger eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) with rapid turnaround, from Abu Dhabi starting in 2025. Archer Aviation's Chief Commercial Officer, Nikhil Goel, told media the company's eVTOL aircraft could slash travel time between Dubai and Abu Dhabi to 22 minutes, with fares around AED 800 ($217)—on par with a premium taxi, but far faster and cheaper than a helicopter. Traditional taxis cost less than half that, but the journey can exceed 90 minutes in traffic. Commercial flights, meanwhile, are rarely convenient for such short-haul trips. "While exact pricing has not been announced, Archer aims to make air taxi services accessible and competitive with premium ground transportation options," the company told Newsweek, noting prices should fall as operations scale. Abu Dhabi seeks to be the first city in the region to launch commercial flying taxis, competing with Dubai and Singapore, as the U.S., Japan and China are also at the forefront of the global race. What People Are Saying CCO at Archer Aviation, Nikhil Goel told Dubai Eye FM Radio Station: "This will be equally safe as flying on Emirates or Etihad, because we have 12 propellers and what that means is if one or two or three of them were to go out, you can still safely continue flying, you as a passenger would never know the difference." Eduardo Garcia, senior manager for future skies at Canso told The Financial Times in February: "There is a limit in the cognitive capacity that humans have to manage vehicles with different speeds and performances, and more crowded airspace. We will automation and artificial intelligence, helping and supporting the way we do things." What Happens Next A next step is to convert a select number of Abu Dhabi's more than 70 helipads into ready-to-use eVTOL hubs, allowing for fast, low-cost pickups and drop-offs with minimal new infrastructure.
Skift
15-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Archer Aviation to Provide Air Taxi Service for 2028 LA Olympics
After air taxis failed to take off for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Archer is optimistic that it can successfully scale services for 2028. Archer Aviation announced Thursday that it will provide air taxi services for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and for Team USA. The company said its network plans for Los Angeles already include key venues for the Games, such as the Stadium in Inglewood and the University of Southern California's Coliseum. Archer added that it plans to operate in major areas for visitors, such as Los Angeles International Airport, Hollywood, Orange County, and Santa Monica. The air taxi service will transport spectators and athletes, and will also be available to support emergency services and security. Archer is still going through the certification process with the Federal Aviation Administration. Archer chief commercial officer Nikhil Goel told Skift that the company expects to receive FAA certification in 2026. Recently, Archer announced that it is building an air taxi network in the New York area as part of a partnership with United Airlines. Archer is slated to operate flying taxis in Abu Dhabi this year. Skift reported last month that investors are pouring billions into eVTOLs, short for electric vertical takeoff and landing. See: Flying Cars and Supersonic Jets: Silicon Valley's New Arms Race. A Test for Archer Given the regulatory hurdles, the Olympics could be an important test for Archer. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, flying taxi startup Volocopter failed to get regulatory approval and the service was met with intense pushback from local officials. Volocopter ended up filing for bankruptcy last year. Goel said local officials in Los Angeles had been supportive of Archer's plans even before discussions for the Olympics. Archer already has partnerships with SoFi Stadium and USC. 'We've been working with LA officials for a long time thinking about how you go integrate urban air mobility in LA,' he said. Goel added that he believed the Paris Olympics were too early to launch air taxi service. He said he expects that Archer will have the infrastructure in place to accommodate such a large scale event by 2028. 'We have always been targeting 2028 because it lines up with our flight test schedule, and it lines up with the certification schedule with the FAA,' Goel said. 'We felt like 2028 was a good year where we can confidently be at scale.' What am I looking at? The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more airlines sector financial performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
Axios
15-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Archer to provide electric air taxi service during 2028 L.A. Olympics
Archer Aviation has been selected as the "official air taxi provider" for the Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028, the company said Thursday. Why it matters: The nominally "no-car" Olympics are the biggest possible showcase for the future of urban air mobility. Driving the news: Through their exclusive partnership, Archer and LA28, the games' host organization, will look to integrate Archer's Midnight aircraft in a variety of ways, such as transporting VIPs, fans and athletes. The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) planes — deemed cleaner, quieter and safer than helicopters — might also be used to provide support for emergency services and security. Context: Archer last year announced plans for an electric air taxi network in L.A., leveraging partnerships with major airlines like Southwest as well as Signature and Atlantic Aviation, which support private aviation at smaller airports. The company aims to build vertiports and electric charging infrastructure at key venues like SoFi Stadium and the L.A. Coliseum, as well as at various airports throughout the region, Chief Commercial Officer Nikhil Goel tells Axios. Yes, but: It's all contingent on getting the green light from the Federal Aviation Administration, which has yet to certify Archer's eVTOL or that of its chief rival, Joby Aviation, which also plans to launch air taxi service in L.A. What to watch: While they wait for FAA approval, both companies expect to launch their first commercial service in the Middle East this year. Goel says Archer expects to be allowed to fly commercially in the U.S. next year, and to be flying "at scale" by 2028, when the Summer Olympics begin. He wouldn't say how large its fleet will be by then, but said it will ramp up safely starting next year.
Zawya
24-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Archer secures design approval for UAE's first hybrid heliport
Aqeel Al Zarouni, Assistant Director General at UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, presents the acceptance certificate to Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer at Archer, and Captain Ramandeep Oberoi, CEO at Falcon Aviation Services The UAE's aviation regulator, the General Civil Aviation Agency (GCAA), has approved the design for the planned transformation of the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal helipad into a hybrid heliport for both helicopter and eVTOL aircraft operations The goal is for this location to become the first site ready for eVTOL aircraft operations in the UAE, providing direct access to the Zayed Port, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island and the Corniche Archer is working to transform this helipad alongside its infrastructure partner Falcon Aviation in close coordination with the GCAA The parties aim to complete this transformation in the second half of 2025 as part of Archer's broader UAE infrastructure network for its early air taxi commercial service in partnership with leading operator Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – The General Civil Aviation Agency (GCAA) has approved the design for the planned transformation of an Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal helipad into a hybrid heliport for both helicopter and eVTOL aircraft operations. Archer (NYSE: ACHR) is working to transform this helipad alongside its infrastructure partner Falcon Aviation in close coordination with the GCAA. Once complete, this location is targeted to be the first hybrid heliport available for early commercial air taxi operations in Abu Dhabi, and part of Archer's broader infrastructure network in the UAE, with early operations planned with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA). The GCAA has become the first civil aviation authority globally to develop regulatory standards for hybrid infrastructure—a pioneering framework designed to support the safe, interoperable and efficient operation of both helicopters and eVTOLs from a single platform. Following industry consultation, these proposed standards are now being finalized and are on track for publication by July 2025, marking a significant step toward the seamless integration of advanced air mobility into existing aviation ecosystems. Under this guidance, Archer and its partners plan to add charging infrastructure and upgrade landing and safety systems to enable use by eVTOL aircraft. By upgrading an existing facility, Archer can capitalize on airspace regulations, zoning and structures that are already in place, without incurring the cost and time it would take to build a bespoke vertiport. Archer selected this site because of its location at the cruise terminal, which is a thriving tourism hub welcoming over 650,000 guests to its port each year. This location also serves as a gateway to some of the capital's most renowned cultural and leisure destinations, providing access to the Zayed Port, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the future Saadiyat Cultural District and the Corniche. 'This milestone is not just about infrastructure—it reflects the UAE's unwavering commitment to innovation and global leadership in Advanced Air Mobility,' said H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA. 'Through our close collaboration with Archer and Falcon Aviation Services, we are enabling a future where sustainable, high-tech air transport becomes a core part of our urban landscape. This approval represents a new era for civil aviation, driven by partnership and vision.' 'By developing the world's first regulatory standards for hybrid infrastructure, the GCAA is positioning the UAE at the forefront of global aviation innovation. This framework ensures that our air mobility infrastructure is safe, efficient, and adaptable—laying the foundation for the seamless integration of both helicopters and next-generation eVTOL aircraft within a unified operational environment,' said Aqeel Al Zarouni, Assistant Director General of the GCAA – Aviation Safety Affairs Sector. "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 launch. This achievement has only been possible through strong partnerships with the GCAA, ADIO and our local operating partners,' said Adam Goldstein, CEO and co-founder of Archer. 'This heliport has long served as a gateway for visitors to explore Abu Dhabi from the sky, and its transformation into a hybrid heliport marks an exciting new chapter. We are proud to support the UAE's vision by introducing future-ready infrastructure that not only enhances our tourism offering but also supports the shift toward more sustainable and advanced air mobility solutions,' said Captain Ramandeep Oberoi, CEO of Falcon Aviation Services. Air Synapsis, a Dubai-based company that provides heliport and vertiport design, supplies and project management services, supported the apron and airspace design work for the development of this hybrid vertiport. About Archer Archer is designing and developing the key enabling technologies and aircraft necessary to power the future of aviation. To learn more, visit Archer Media Contacts The Brand Amp - Archer@ Tales and Heads - archer@ About Falcon Aviation Services Falcon Aviation Services is a premier aviation services company in the UAE. Since its founding in 2006 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the company has built a strong reputation for delivering innovative, high-quality services to an esteemed clientele. Falcon Aviation Services provides a wide range of Operational and Aviation Support Services, which include Aircraft Charter & Management, Helicopter Sightseeing Tours, Oil and Gas Aviation Support, Maintenance Repair and Overhauling (MRO), Continuing Airworthiness Management (CAMO), Heliport Management and Inspection, among others. Falcon Aviation Services has firmly established itself as a leading operator in the UAE and the MENA region aviation industry for its commitment to quality, safety, and excellence. For more information, please visit: Media Enquiries: communications@ Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward looking statements regarding Archer's future business plans and goals, including statements regarding its aircraft performance, the timing of Archer's development, commercialization, and certification of its eVTOL aircraft, and plans relating to infrastructure buildout and operations in the UAE. In addition, this press release refers to a collaboration agreement that is conditioned on the future execution by the parties of additional binding definitive agreements incorporating the terms outlined in the collaboration agreement, which definitive agreements may not be completed or may contain different terms than those set forth in the framework agreement. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors. The risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed in Archer's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, available at In addition, please note that any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that Archer believes to be reasonable as of the date of this press release. Archer undertakes no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events.
Express Tribune
23-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
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 Listen to article 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.
