Latest news with #NikhilGoel
Time Out Abu Dhabi
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi flying taxis have started testing in the UAE
It's time to get excited – Abu Dhabi flying taxis are coming in faster than you can say 'takeoff'. 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. Living in the UAE When is the next public holiday? Here's when you'll have your next day off 5 unexpected Emirates ID perks you should seriously be using And yes, they all make our lives a little bit easier 12 brilliant day trips from Abu Dhabi for when you need to escape the city And some of them are free
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Flying taxis in UAE can now use existing helipads together with helicopters
Flying taxis in the UAE are now allowed to use over 70 existing helipads in the city for takeoff and landing, eliminating the need for new infrastructure/ Photo: pixabay In a major leap toward integrating flying taxis into daily transportation, the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has issued a new regulatory framework that allows electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft (eVTOLs) and conventional helicopters to operate interchangeably on existing helipads. This move is designed to fast-track the development and adoption of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions across the country. According to a statement sent by GCAA to local news outlet Khaleej Times on Wednesday, 'This innovative regulatory framework represents a significant leap in integrating Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions into existing aviation systems. It offers a cost-effective model for infrastructure development, accelerates operational readiness, and aligns with the UAE government's directives to implement high-efficiency, non-bureaucratic solutions across various sectors. ' The framework essentially means that flying taxis can now take off and land at existing helipads, removing the need to construct entirely new infrastructure for these futuristic aircraft. Key Voices: Vision, Readiness, and Strategic Use This decision follows recent successful test flights that demonstrate both technological readiness and regulatory alignment. Last month, Abu Dhabi conducted a test flight of an autonomous flying taxi , which took off from the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal helipad and flew above Abu Dhabi Marina. In a prior interview with Khaleej Times, Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer at Archer Aviation, the company developing the 'Midnight' flying taxi, expressed strong support for leveraging current infrastructure: 'There are more than 70 helipads in Abu Dhabi. There is a great opportunity – and, personally, I think – we don't need to build any new infrastructure to make this work. We plan to leverage the existing helipads, then add electrification to those facilities so that we can go launch quickly and scale up rapidly with minimal capital,' Goel said. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GCAA, said on Wednesday: '(The) regulatory framework does not merely enable new technology; it redefines how aviation evolves. It reflects our commitment to innovation in developing a supportive ecosystem for the growth of this vital sector and a future where advanced air mobility is seamlessly integrated into our national infrastructure.' He further elaborated on the dual-use approach: 'By enabling dual-use between conventional helicopter pads and electric vertical takeoff and landing pads, this initiative helps accelerate implementation timelines, optimises infrastructure utilisation, and cements the UAE's position as a leader in fostering an integrated ecosystem supporting the future of aviation.' Dubai's First Flying Taxi Test Flight Just this week, Dubai marked a key milestone in urban mobility with the first test flight of a flying taxi developed by Joby Aviation. The test took place at Joby's test facility at the Dubai Jetman Helipad in Margham, located along the Dubai–Al Ain Road. The city is now preparing for a commercial rollout by the first half of 2026, aiming to provide residents and visitors a premium air mobility service. Speaking about the potential, Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), previously highlighted the time-saving advantage of these vehicles: "A journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah, for example, is expected to take just 12 minutes, compared to approximately 45 minutes by car."
Newsweek
28-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Electric Flying Taxi Service Prepares for Launch in Global Race
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new air taxi simulator has arrived in the United Arab Emirates as preparations advance for a dozen initial flying taxi routes across the country. Aircraft testing, pilot training, regulatory coordination and infrastructure work are part of U.S. Archer Aviation's plans to launch flying taxis trials during the third quarter of 2025, the company told Newsweek. Why It Matters Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, aims to become the first city in the Middle East to launch electric flying taxis—positioning American technology at the forefront of global urban air mobility and potentially opening new international markets for U.S. aerospace firms. Archer's Midnight eVTOL aircraft. Archer's Midnight eVTOL aircraft. Archer Aviation Handout What To Know Archer Aviation has officially delivered its Midnight flight simulator to Etihad Aviation Training headquarters in Abu Dhabi for pilot training, the company explained in an email to Newsweek. Abu Dhabi Aviation Group (ADA) will fund and deploy Archer Aviation's Midnight, a piloted four-passenger eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) with rapid turnaround, from Abu Dhabi starting in 2025. Archer Aviation's Chief Commercial Officer, Nikhil Goel, told media the company's eVTOL aircraft could slash travel time between Dubai and Abu Dhabi to 22 minutes, with fares around AED 800 ($217)—on par with a premium taxi, but far faster and cheaper than a helicopter. Traditional taxis cost less than half that, but the journey can exceed 90 minutes in traffic. Commercial flights, meanwhile, are rarely convenient for such short-haul trips. "While exact pricing has not been announced, Archer aims to make air taxi services accessible and competitive with premium ground transportation options," the company told Newsweek, noting prices should fall as operations scale. Abu Dhabi seeks to be the first city in the region to launch commercial flying taxis, competing with Dubai and Singapore, as the U.S., Japan and China are also at the forefront of the global race. What People Are Saying CCO at Archer Aviation, Nikhil Goel told Dubai Eye FM Radio Station: "This will be equally safe as flying on Emirates or Etihad, because we have 12 propellers and what that means is if one or two or three of them were to go out, you can still safely continue flying, you as a passenger would never know the difference." Eduardo Garcia, senior manager for future skies at Canso told The Financial Times in February: "There is a limit in the cognitive capacity that humans have to manage vehicles with different speeds and performances, and more crowded airspace. We will automation and artificial intelligence, helping and supporting the way we do things." What Happens Next A next step is to convert a select number of Abu Dhabi's more than 70 helipads into ready-to-use eVTOL hubs, allowing for fast, low-cost pickups and drop-offs with minimal new infrastructure.
Skift
15-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Archer Aviation to Provide Air Taxi Service for 2028 LA Olympics
After air taxis failed to take off for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Archer is optimistic that it can successfully scale services for 2028. Archer Aviation announced Thursday that it will provide air taxi services for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and for Team USA. The company said its network plans for Los Angeles already include key venues for the Games, such as the Stadium in Inglewood and the University of Southern California's Coliseum. Archer added that it plans to operate in major areas for visitors, such as Los Angeles International Airport, Hollywood, Orange County, and Santa Monica. The air taxi service will transport spectators and athletes, and will also be available to support emergency services and security. Archer is still going through the certification process with the Federal Aviation Administration. Archer chief commercial officer Nikhil Goel told Skift that the company expects to receive FAA certification in 2026. Recently, Archer announced that it is building an air taxi network in the New York area as part of a partnership with United Airlines. Archer is slated to operate flying taxis in Abu Dhabi this year. Skift reported last month that investors are pouring billions into eVTOLs, short for electric vertical takeoff and landing. See: Flying Cars and Supersonic Jets: Silicon Valley's New Arms Race. A Test for Archer Given the regulatory hurdles, the Olympics could be an important test for Archer. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, flying taxi startup Volocopter failed to get regulatory approval and the service was met with intense pushback from local officials. Volocopter ended up filing for bankruptcy last year. Goel said local officials in Los Angeles had been supportive of Archer's plans even before discussions for the Olympics. Archer already has partnerships with SoFi Stadium and USC. 'We've been working with LA officials for a long time thinking about how you go integrate urban air mobility in LA,' he said. Goel added that he believed the Paris Olympics were too early to launch air taxi service. He said he expects that Archer will have the infrastructure in place to accommodate such a large scale event by 2028. 'We have always been targeting 2028 because it lines up with our flight test schedule, and it lines up with the certification schedule with the FAA,' Goel said. 'We felt like 2028 was a good year where we can confidently be at scale.' What am I looking at? The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more airlines sector financial performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
Axios
15-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Archer to provide electric air taxi service during 2028 L.A. Olympics
Archer Aviation has been selected as the "official air taxi provider" for the Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028, the company said Thursday. Why it matters: The nominally "no-car" Olympics are the biggest possible showcase for the future of urban air mobility. Driving the news: Through their exclusive partnership, Archer and LA28, the games' host organization, will look to integrate Archer's Midnight aircraft in a variety of ways, such as transporting VIPs, fans and athletes. The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) planes — deemed cleaner, quieter and safer than helicopters — might also be used to provide support for emergency services and security. Context: Archer last year announced plans for an electric air taxi network in L.A., leveraging partnerships with major airlines like Southwest as well as Signature and Atlantic Aviation, which support private aviation at smaller airports. The company aims to build vertiports and electric charging infrastructure at key venues like SoFi Stadium and the L.A. Coliseum, as well as at various airports throughout the region, Chief Commercial Officer Nikhil Goel tells Axios. Yes, but: It's all contingent on getting the green light from the Federal Aviation Administration, which has yet to certify Archer's eVTOL or that of its chief rival, Joby Aviation, which also plans to launch air taxi service in L.A. What to watch: While they wait for FAA approval, both companies expect to launch their first commercial service in the Middle East this year. Goel says Archer expects to be allowed to fly commercially in the U.S. next year, and to be flying "at scale" by 2028, when the Summer Olympics begin. He wouldn't say how large its fleet will be by then, but said it will ramp up safely starting next year.
