The Abu Dhabi flying taxis have started testing in the UAE
Just a few weeks ago, the Abu Dhabi Aviation Group announced a strategic collaboration with Archer to deploy its first eVTOL aircraft, Midnight, from Abu Dhabi.
And now? Tests in the UAE have officially begun…
The Abu Dhabi flying taxis have flown in Abu Dhabi
Archer, the company responsible for the Abu Dhabi flying taxis, have announced that they have had their first test flight in Abu Dhabi.
Before flying in the UAE, the aircraft was successfully tested in California – and you can actually see the whole video on YouTube.
So when will the Abu Dhabi flying taxis be operational?
Test flights of Midnight have begun. These will check the impact of the UAE's extreme summer temperatures on the aircraft and within the cabin before the flying taxi services officially launch.
The Archer team have also scoped out potential routes in Abu Dhabi.
Talib Alhinai, UAE general manager at Archer, told Time Out Abu Dhabi: ''We flew over Abu Dhabi for a route assessment for Archer's upcoming electric air taxi service launch in Abu Dhabi. We were focused on understanding the real customer experience. What would these routes look like? How would travellers see our city from this new perspective? The views are incredible. You're not just travelling, you're getting a completely new way of seeing Abu Dhabi.'
Check out the amazing views below in footage supplied by Archer – they weren't wrong…
Previously, Archer Aviation's chief commercial officer Nikhil Goel told Forbes: 'There are hundreds of cities that want air taxis. Abu Dhabi will be first, and that will be a lighthouse to the world to say, these air taxis are safe. From there, I hope that we can build the centre of the Middle East here and from that, you've got other countries across the Gulf Cooperation Council.'
How will the Abu Dhabi flying taxis work?
Archer's Midnight eVTOL aircraft will be able to carry up to four passengers, plus a pilot, at speeds of up to 241 km/h.
For instance, you'll be able to get from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Emirates Palace in just 5 to 8 minutes – an upgrade from the typical 45-minute car ride.
They're also fully electric and can operate back-to-back flights with minimal charge time in between.
Credit: Archer
How much will a flying taxi journey cost?
While nothing is confirmed yet, Archer's CCO Nikhil Goel revealed potential prices in an interview with The National, saying it will be priced 'similarly to an Uber Black or a premium town car'.
Inner city flights in Abu Dhabi : Dhs300 – Dhs350.
: Dhs300 – Dhs350. Abu Dhabi and Dubai: Dhs800 – Dhs1,500.
'And then over time when we make our operations more efficient, our goal is to be comparable to the price of a taxi or an Uber', Nikhil Goel added.
We're keeping a close eye on all the Abu Dhabi flying taxi updates, so stay tuned.
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