California-based eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) air taxi developer Archer Aviation said Thursday that it secured an “established pathway” to begin “limited” commercial operations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Archer said the country’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) established a restricted type certificate (RTC) program for its flagship Midnight, streamlining the company’s path to operations. It did not say whether those operations would include passenger flights or when exactly they might begin.
One of the manufacturer’s rivals, Joby Aviation, in November discussed a GCAA “qualification program” for its own air taxi. Joby said the program would allow it to begin noncommercial passenger-carrying operations in the UAE before obtaining type certification in the U.S.
It is unclear whether Archer’s arrangement has a similar structure. FLYING has reached out to Archer to clarify what specific activities would be permitted under the company’s RTC.
“The UAE has been one of the most forward-leaning markets in the world for advanced aviation, and the GCAA has been a strong, collaborative partner throughout this process,” Adam Goldman, founder and CEO of Archer, said in a statement. “Advancing Midnight into this RTC program is a major step toward bringing electric air taxis to the UAE.”
Air Taxis in Abu Dhabi
Archer said it is the first eVTOL manufacturer to establish an RTC program with the GCAA, beating out Joby and other rivals looking to operate in the region. It said the program creates an airworthiness pathway that is aligned to “international aviation frameworks,” furthering its plans for long-term service in the country.
The company said it has begun the process for GCAA Design Organization Approval (DOA)—equivalent to the FAA’s Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) and Delegation Option Authorization (DOA) processes—and Production Organization Approval (POA). In the U.S., manufacturers must obtain type certification before the FAA authorizes production of the new aircraft type.
GCAA experts made multiple visits to Archer’s U.S. facilities and observed Midnight test flights at Al Ain Airport (OMAL) in Dubai before finalizing the RTC program.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), with which Archer has a partnership to launch Midnight operations across the emirate, was also involved in the process, the company said. The partners in 2023 said they were targeting Midnight’s commercial launch by this year. Joby has given a similar timeline for its launch in Dubai, though war in the Middle East could disrupt both companies’ plans.
Archer’s UAE launch customer is Abu Dhabi Aviation, one of the region’s largest helicopter operators. Its other “Launch Edition” customers—who will fly the first operational Midnight aircraft—include Ethiopia’s Ethiopian Airlines and Indonesia’s PT IKN.
Domestic Demonstrations
Though it is unclear when Midnight might fly passengers in the UAE, the aircraft will begin demonstrations under the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) later this year. Those activities, spanning 26 states, are expected to begin in the next few months.
Archer was a part of winning eIPP bids from agencies managing transportation systems in New York, New Jersey, Texas, and Florida. Midnight will not conduct commercial operations, but it will fly into real airports and interact with real air traffic controllers.
Though they may not happen immediately, noncommercial passenger carrying flights are likely to take place before the three-year eIPP ends. According to Wisk Aero, the FAA is considering allowing certain passenger operations for revenue, though these would not be permanent services.
Archer’s biggest remaining flight test hurdle is a piloted demonstration of Midnight’s transition from hover to forward flight—the defining capability of eVTOL models. Joby, Beta Technologies, and most recently the U.K.’s Vertical Aerospace have achieved piloted transitions. All three are planning services that overlap with markets Archer is targeting.
