The Abu Dhabi Investment Office plans to launch air taxi operations by 2026. ARCHER AVIATION

Flying Taxis to Hit UAE Skies by 2026

Flying taxis will be the future of travel in Abu Dhabi, with plans to launch air taxi operations by 2026, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has announced. This comes after Archer Aviation entered a deal earlier this week with ADIO to make Abu Dhabi its first international partner and open its international headquarters in the emirate. “Bringing electric aviation to the UAE will help unlock congestion with zero emissions and, in turn, bring millions in foreign direct investment and thousands of jobs to the region over the next decade,” according to ADIO. US-based Archer Aviation said it plans to commercialize air taxi operations in the UAE by 2025, and operate its air taxis across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Archer’s goal is to cut down 60-90 minute commutes by vehicles into an estimated 10-20 minute electric air taxi flights. Its air taxi is called Midnight, a four-passenger piloted aircraft. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the General Civil Aviation Authority, said the authority is working to get air taxis flying in the UAE soon. “Our goal is to approve Archer’s air taxi to fly in the UAE as soon as it is certified by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), and we are very excited to collaborate with them to bring electric air taxis to the country,” Al Suwaidi said. Abu Dhabi recently approved the creation of the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry  Cluster in the emirate. ICA/Expat Media READ MORE: 50,000 jobs to open in Abu Dhabi smart car industry 
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