On July 2, 2025, Archer completed an initial flight of its Midnight eVTOL aircraft at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi. The flight was part of Archer’s ongoing test programme to evaluate the aircraft’s vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) performance under UAE-specific conditions such as high temperature, humidity, and dust exposure.
The test flight was conducted with the support of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC) and attended by senior leadership from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the Integrated Transport Centre, Abu Dhabi Aviation, and Abu Dhabi Airports, along with representatives from Archer’s regional partners.
The test supports Archer’s Launch Edition commercialisation programme with Abu Dhabi Aviation, which aims to establish air taxi operations in the emirate. The data collected from the flight will contribute to certification and commercialisation efforts in both the UAE and other key markets. This milestone follows regulatory design approval for the UAE’s first hybrid heliport at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal and forms part of Archer’s broader plans to expand operations in the Middle East.
