Archer has completed the first flight of its Midnight aircraft in Abu Dhabi. The flight took place at Al Bateen Executive Airport, with support from the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC). It was witnessed by representatives from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, the Integrated Transport Centre, Abu Dhabi Aviation and Abu Dhabi Airports.

The goal was to test the aircraft’s vertical takeoff and landing performance in hot, humid and dusty UAE conditions. This is part of Archer’s plan to prepare the aircraft for commercial service in the UAE and other regional markets.

Archer will now expand its testing programme in the region to support certification and commercialisation.

“This flight marks a significant step towards realising Abu Dhabi’s ambition to lead the world in advanced urban air mobility,” says H.E. Badr Al-Olama, director general of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.

“Our initial test flight operations in the UAE represent a critical milestone as we prepare for our commercial deployment in Abu Dhabi,” says Archer CEO and founder Adam Goldstein.

The test supports Archer’s Launch Edition commercialisation programme with Abu Dhabi Aviation, which aims to bring air taxi services to the city. Abu Dhabi's role as Archer's first Launch Edition market positions the emirate as a global leader in urban air mobility deployment.

This follows the recent design approval granted to Archer by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority to convert the helipad at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal into the country’s first hybrid heliport, capable of supporting both helicopters and eVTOL aircraft. Coordinated with Falcon Aviation Services and the GCAA, the project includes upgraded landing systems and charging infrastructure and is scheduled to be completed in the second half of 2025.