Archer Aviation is accelerating the commercialization of its Midnight electric air taxi with the introduction of its “Launch Edition” program.
Designed to establish a scalable and repeatable deployment model, the initiative will focus on launching Midnight aircraft in early adopter markets, paving the way for the widespread adoption of urban air mobility.
Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) has been named as Archer’s first Launch Edition customer, with plans to introduce an initial fleet of Midnight aircraft to the region. As part of this initiative, Archer personnel will work closely with ADA to conduct test flights, refine operational strategies, and prepare for commercial passenger services in Abu Dhabi. The collaboration will also extend to pilot training, flight operations, and community engagement to ensure seamless integration into the local transportation ecosystem.
In addition to providing Midnight aircraft, Archer will support ADA with a dedicated team of pilots, technicians, and engineers to facilitate a smooth operational ramp-up. The company also plans to supply backend software infrastructure and a front-end booking application, ensuring a comprehensive urban air mobility solution for the Launch Edition program.
The partnership between Archer and Abu Dhabi Aviation was formalized during a signing ceremony alongside the Abu Dhabi Investment Office. As part of the agreement, ADA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that outlines a framework for funding the deployment of the Midnight Launch Edition aircraft in Abu Dhabi.
His Excellency Nader Al Hammadi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Aviation, said, “We have been observing the advancements in eVTOL technology for years, and we are proud to partner with Archer to bring this innovation to the UAE. Abu Dhabi Aviation has the expertise to develop a scalable urban air mobility service and we are excited to lead the way in launching the region’s first electric air taxi service, starting right here in Abu Dhabi.”
Adam Goldstein, CEO and Founder of Archer, added, “The unveiling of our Launch Edition program marks the beginning of the next chapter for Archer. This is how we’ll bring Midnight from the manufacturing line to our first customers—and it’s a playbook we’ll run repeatedly as we scale our operations globally. Thank you to Abu Dhabi Aviation for being our first Launch Edition customer. We have a big year ahead.”
Archer has stated that the company committed to working closely with ADA and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to bring electric air taxis to the region. The company’s long-term vision is to revolutionize urban transportation by replacing lengthy car commutes of 60–90 minutes with sustainable, low-noise, 10–20-minute electric air taxi flights. Archer’s Midnight aircraft, a piloted four-passenger eVTOL, is designed for rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time, making it a practical and efficient solution for modern urban mobility.
With the Launch Edition program, Archer is said to be taking a significant step toward transforming urban travel in Abu Dhabi, setting the stage for broader adoption of electric air taxis worldwide.
