The Abu Dhabi Investment Office begins implementing the investment framework for testing and operating flying taxis in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office and Archer Aviation, with the support of the Intelligent Autonomous Systems Council and in coordination with the General Authority of Civil Aviation and the Integrated Transport Centre, announced the start of implementation of the investment framework for testing and operating flying taxis in the UAE, as part of an investment program aimed at accelerating the commercial operations of flying taxis in the country. This announcement comes as a continuation of the framework agreement announced last year, which aims to accelerate Archer’s operations in the country and enhance Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global center for innovative civil air mobility solutions.

Under the agreement, Archer will begin operating two Midnight aircraft in the first phase in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Aviation, the largest commercial helicopter operator in the Middle East, and the Etihad Aviation Training Academy. This phase will include recruiting and training local pilots.

In this regard, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, said: “The civil aviation sector in the UAE is witnessing a new phase of deliberate and planned development, based on the integration of modern air mobility solutions within a safe and efficient operating environment. We at the General Authority of Civil Aviation are committed to supporting the innovation process by developing flexible regulatory frameworks that ensure the operation of flying taxis in accordance with the highest standards of safety and efficiency. We look forward to continuing cooperation with our local and international partners to consolidate the UAE’s position as a global center for air mobility. “sustainable.”

In turn, Badr Salim Sultan Al Olama, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, said: “Our cooperation with Archer Aviation represents an important step towards shaping the future of global urban mobility from Abu Dhabi. Our efforts to launch flying taxi operations in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi reflect our commitment to accelerating the provision of advanced mobility solutions, and consolidating Abu Dhabi’s position as a global center for innovation and future industries.”

Dr. said. Abdullah Hamad Al Ghafli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Center: “Our support for this pioneering project comes within the framework of the efforts of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to develop an advanced and safe air transport system, based on innovative and sustainable solutions that enhance integration between various modes of transport. The Integrated Transport Center is keen to integrate flying taxis into the multimodal transport system in the emirate, thus enhancing the interconnection between land, air and sea transport, and providing flexible options that meet the aspirations of the future. It also The Center undertakes the regulatory and supervisory tasks for this sector, including developing legislative frameworks, establishing an integrated air transport network, and issuing operational permits and infrastructure permits in coordination with the relevant authorities, to ensure the highest standards of safety and operational efficiency.”

For his part, Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer Aviation, said: “Our announcement of this agreement last year was a defining moment in our journey towards expansion in the UAE as our first commercial market. Today, with the start of implementation of the investment framework, we are closer than ever to achieving our goal. We thank the Abu Dhabi Investment Office for its investor support in achieving this mission.”

Abu Dhabi Investment Office’s partnership with Archer Aviation comes within the framework of the efforts made by the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry Complex (SAVI), which aims to attract and enable qualitative investments in the transportation and smart mobility sector and its air, land and sea applications. The Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry Complex (SAVI) is expected to contribute 22 billion dirhams to Abu Dhabi’s GDP, provide 15,000 new jobs, achieve sustainable economic returns in the civil mobility sector and advanced industries, and provide quality jobs.