Archer completes first eVTOL flight of its Midnight aircraft in Abu Dhabi

Summary points:

• Archer Aviation completed the first test flight of its Midnight eVTOL aircraft in Abu Dhabi, marking a major step toward launching commercial air taxi services in the UAE.

• The Midnight aircraft, designed for short-range urban travel, features 12 rotors and can cruise up to 150 mph, with rapid charging capabilities and a target range of 20 to 50 miles per trip.

• The flight supports Archer’s Launch Edition program with Abu Dhabi Aviation, and comes alongside regulatory advances including design approval for the UAE’s first hybrid heliport, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's role as a leader in urban air mobility.

ABU DHABI, UAE - Archer Aviation in San Jose, Calif., announced the successful completion of the first test flight of its Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the United Arab Emirates. The flight took place at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi, marking a key milestone in the company’s plans to commercialize air taxi services in the region.

The test was supported by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC) and witnessed by officials from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and other local transport and aviation agencies. It was designed to evaluate the aircraft’s performance in hot, humid, and dusty conditions typical of the UAE climate.

"This flight marks a significant step towards realising Abu Dhabi’s ambition to lead the world in advanced urban air mobility," said Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO.

Midnight heat

"Testing our aircraft in actual operating conditions in the middle of summer provides us with the data we need to progress our commercial and certification efforts both in the UAE and in the U.S.," said Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer.

Archer’s Midnight aircraft is a piloted, four-passenger eVTOL designed for short urban flights of up to 100 miles, with an optimal range of about 20 to 50 miles per trip. It features 12 rotors - six fixed and six tilting - powered by an electric battery system. Midnight is designed to cruise at speeds up to 150 mph (241 km/h) and is optimized for rapid turnaround with a target of approximately 10 minutes of charging time between flights.

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The flight supports Archer's Launch Edition commercialization program in partnership with Abu Dhabi Aviation, aimed at establishing one of the world’s first electric air taxi services. The program also includes regulatory progress, such as design approval for the UAE’s first hybrid heliport at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal.

Archer plans to continue flight testing in the UAE to gather further data ahead of certification and commercial launch, with Abu Dhabi positioned as the company's first international market for full-scale urban air mobility operations.