Latest news with #TalibAlhinai
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
Arabian Business
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Arabian Business
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. UAE air taxi trials 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.
Time Out Abu Dhabi
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi's first electric flying taxi could be taking off before the end of 2025
Get ready for takeoff. The UAE is inching closer to the flying taxi future we've all been waiting for, with Archer Aviation announcing that trial flights for its all-electric air taxi, Midnight, are set to launch in Abu Dhabi before the end of 2025. That's right, electric aircraft – also known as eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles) – could soon be zipping above the capital, offering short-hop urban transport that's as green as it is futuristic. Speaking at the Make it in the Emirates Forum, Dr. Talib Alhinai, Archer's General Manager, confirmed the milestone marks a major leap for the UAE's urban air mobility ambitions. Credit: Designed to carry four passengers and a pilot, the Midnight aircraft lifts off and lands like a helicopter but cruises like a plane. With 12 electric motors, a fixed wing and clever engineering that transitions from vertical to horizontal flight in just 45 seconds, this little aircraft packs a serious high-tech punch. Oh, and it's 100 percent electric. Initial test flights will begin in unpopulated areas, gradually expanding into urban airspace as part of a phased rollout. While there's no set date yet for when you'll be able to hail one like a flying Uber, the groundwork is very much in motion. Archer has also opened a new manufacturing hub in Georgia, USA, with a current capacity of 650 aircraft a year and ambitious plans to scale up to 2,400. And yes, a potential UAE-based production facility is in the works too. A framework agreement has already been signed with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to set up a local research centre and explore manufacturing options. From the looks of it, the sky isn't the limit – it's the next commute.
Gulf Business
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf Business
Flying cars in the UAE? Trial date for electric air taxi revealed
Image credit: WAM/Website Trial flights of Archer Aviation's first fully electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Midnight, are set to begin before the end of 2025, Dr Talib Alhinai, General Manager of Archer Aviation, said. Read- Speaking on the sidelines of the 'Make it in the Emirates' forum, Alhinai said the aircraft marks a major step toward the country's urban air mobility goals, with operations expected to begin in Abu Dhabi ahead of a full commercial rollout. Aircraft 'Midnight': How does this air taxi function? 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 optimised for efficient short-distance flights. Alhinai said initial test flights will take place in unpopulated areas, gradually expanding into urban zones as part of a phased deployment approach. A formal date for the start of commercial service has not been set. The exact date for commercial operations will be announced in due course, pending the completion of all necessary technical and operational requirements. Regarding its 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 0 and 90 degrees, allowing for a seamless transition from vertical ascent to horizontal flight in just 45 seconds. Potential manufacturing in the UAE On local production, Alhinai said the company has signed a framework agreement with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to establish a research center and explore manufacturing opportunities in the UAE. Further details will be announced soon.
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
UAE's first electric air taxi trial flight expected before 2025: Archer
ABU DHABI - 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. 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.
