Latest news with #eVTOL
Arabian Business
4 hours ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
UAE announces world's first regulatory framework for hybrid eVTOL operations
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has issued the world's first regulatory framework for hybrid operations, enabling both electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft (eVTOLs) and conventional helicopters to operate interchangeably on the same infrastructure. The regulatory framework integrates 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. World's first eVTOL hybrid operations framework launched by UAE GCAA 'The UAE has always been at the forefront of excellence in aviation. This pioneering 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,' Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GCAA said. The hybrid operations framework results from close collaboration with international partners in the advanced air mobility sector and is fully aligned with the UAE's national vision for sustainability, smart mobility, and optimised infrastructure use. 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. Aqeel Al Zarouni, Assistant Director-General for Aviation Safety Affairs at the GCAA, added that this framework is a strategic enabler, not only for new modes of transport but for a smarter, more flexible regulatory environment that keeps pace with emerging technologies without compromising safety standards.
The National
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- The National
UAE's aviation authority announces framework for regulating electric air taxis
The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority has announced a framework to regulate the use of electric and conventional helicopters in the Emirates. The rollout of the regulations will allow both electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and conventional helicopters to operate interchangeably on the same infrastructure, reported state news agency Wam. The announcement came as two test flights took place in the UAE in recent days. On Monday, California-based Joby Aviation, in partnership with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, carried out an electric air taxi test flight ahead of a planned launch of commercial operations next year. Archer Aviation completed the first test flight in Abu Dhabi of its air taxi on Wednesday. 'The UAE has always been at the forefront of excellence in aviation. This pioneering regulatory framework does not merely enable new technology; it redefines how aviation evolves,' said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general of the GCAA. '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.' The newly announced regulations will allow for dual-use between conventional helicopter pads and electric vertical take-off and landing pads. The framework will enable the UAE to adopt a flexible regulatory environment that keeps pace with emerging technologies without compromising safety standards, said Aqeel Al Zarouni, assistant director general for aviation safety affairs at the GCAA. Taking flight Wednesday's test flight in Abu Dhabi took place at the capital's Al Bateen Executive Airport with the operation designed to put the aircraft through hot weather testing as anticipation builds for the eventual launch of commercial flights. The eVTOL aircraft − called Midnight − was unpiloted but it is expected that commercial flights, once approved, will be piloted. It is hoped that air taxis could bolster public transport options and ease congestion on the roads as Abu Dhabi's population continues to surge. The California-based air taxi company, which has completed tests in the US, said its vision is to replace 60 to 90-minute car journeys with 10 to 20-minute electric air taxi trips. Images showed the aircraft soaring over the city adjacent to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. During the flight, technicians tested its performance under extreme heat, humidity, dust and other conditions. 'What we've seen today is the first step towards launching electric air taxis in Abu Dhabi,' Talib Alhinai, general manager for Archer Aviation in the UAE, told The National, adding it was 'the first of many flights that we hope to do in this country'. 'We're very excited to test our aircraft in the hottest months of the year and, if we can show that we can be ready for these conditions, it means … we can operate anywhere, anytime.' Archer said Midnight can carry four passengers and a pilot, is fully electric, has a potential range of about 150km and can fly at speeds of up to 241kph. It can perform both vertical and conventional take-off and landing with Wednesday's test being a vertical take-off. The test flight supports Archer's partnership with Abu Dhabi Aviation, which aims to establish air taxi services in Abu Dhabi. The company is working with authorities to launch in Abu Dhabi – the first market in the world that Archer will launch in – and the aircraft will be going through the full approvals process by the UAE's aviation regulator General Civil Aviation Authority before any commercial services start. The launch of air taxis has been eagerly anticipated in the UAE for years. It comes as the population of Abu Dhabi continues to surge with major knock-on effects for public transport but much work remains such as developing the vertiport network. While Archer would not reveal a precise launch date for commercial services, Mr Alhinai said it was hoped they could share that 'in the next several months'. Mr Alhinai also said they were careful about revealing how much taking an air taxi would cost but they were working on price tiers similar to 'upper tier' of ride share services. 'We're a bit careful in terms of determining what that final cost would be because there's just still some final information that we're finalising on what the locations would be and where we would be flying from,' he said, adding that the service was aimed at the general public. It was previously reported prices would be about Dh300 to Dh350 for inner-city travel. Archer had already announced the first 'heliport' would be located in the Mina Zayed Cruise terminal with the existing helipad being converted to dual use by the end of 2025. The Mina Zayed location is close to key sites such as the port, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Island. He said it was finalising 'very exciting' other sites. When launched, it is envisaged that people can book a ride through a smartphone app in the same way one would hire a taxi today. Abu Dhabi Investment Office is working with the company on the project. 'This flight marks a significant step towards realising Abu Dhabi's ambition to lead the world in advanced urban air mobility,' said Badr Al Olama, director general of the office. Omran Malek, head of smart autonomous vehicle industry at the office, told The National that Wednesday's test was a 'first step among many to come'. 'We are testing to commercialise,' said Mr Malek. 'In Abu Dhabi we're not just launching an air taxi service, we're launching an ecosystem. 'So from pilot training to maintenance, repair and operations to talent development and the manufacturing part,' he said. Mr Malek said if you looked at the sky above many cities it was 'empty' and 'we need to use and utilise that space above us'. He pointed to the fact Abu Dhabi has many islands – several are being developed – and air taxis could cut the length of travelling between them sharply. 'If you want to go from one island to another, you have to use a bridge but point to point it could take you five to 10 minutes.' Reiterating that integration of the planned air taxi network with other transport systems was crucial, he said they were thinking of how people get off Etihad Rail or use the bus stations and if transport across sea, air and land could be joined up it would be 'a jackpot'. The test follows a separate one on Monday in Dubai by Joby Aviation of its aerial taxi. Four vertiports are planned there as well as tests last month in Abu Dhabi from a different operator. Mr Malek said the efforts were all down to the 'ecosystem from the federal to the government agencies that have worked all together, all marching in the same direction'. 'This technology is coming from abroad but because of the regulatory agility we have, it's being deployed here,' he said. 'And we're considering also exporting this know-how around the region to deploy these systems.'
Al Etihad
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- Al Etihad
Archer completes first urban air taxi test flight in Abu Dhabi
2 July 2025 20:39 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)Archer Aviation has completed the first urban test flight of its electric air taxi in Abu Dhabi, marking a major milestone in the UAE's ambition to lead the future of air mobility. The successful vertical take-off and landing flight was carried out at Al Bateen Executive Airport in the heart of the city at 7am, with Archer executives and Abu Dhabi officials hailing it as a critical first step towards commercial launch. 'This is our first global launch market. This was a vertical take-off and landing flight - the first step in our flight test operation,' Dr. Talib Alhinai, General Manager for Archer Aviation in the UAE, told Aletihad following the flight. Conducting the flight in real UAE conditions was crucial to proving the viability of the concept, Dr. Alhinai said. 'Our initial flight test operations in the UAE are focusing on evaluating the aircraft's speed, core performance in specific conditions, including humidity, temperature, and dust exposure. This also allows us to validate readiness for commercial deployment,' he said. The tests carried out in Abu Dhabi's summer environment would be key to ensuring the air taxi can perform reliably year-round. Expanding the trial programme is already underway, Dr. Alhinai said, with plans to expand the flight envelope and test pilot sites in the UAE throughout the year. 'This test flight took place in Abu Dhabi city executive airport with the backdrop of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. According to my knowledge, no eVTOL flight has taken place in an urban environment in Abu Dhabi before,' he said. Al Bateen airport is right in the middle of Abu Dhabi Island, and for us, this was a great first step and a great first place to launch our programme.' Roadmap for Urban Operations Initial passenger services are set to launch within Abu Dhabi city, before the network is expanded, Dr. Alhinai the full list of vertiport locations remains under wraps for now, Archer says the initial network will offer urban connectivity for residents and visitors, with further details expected to be announced soon. Dr. Alhinai also highlighted Archer's collaboration with local stakeholders to integrate air taxis seamlessly into the capital's broader mobility network. This was echoed by Omran Malek, Head of the Smart Autonomous Vehicle Industry Cluster at the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), a major stakeholder in Archer. The emirate is building an entire ecosystem for urban air mobility, covering training, maintenance, regulatory integration, and manufacturing, Malek said. Drawing an analogy with the evolution of smartphones, he explained that air taxis are no longer an imaginary concept; they now represent a future industry. 'Think about the iPhones at the time in the early 2000s: If I told you then how much the iPhone is doing now, you would say that's impossible,' he told Aletihad on Wednesday. 'What we're doing, especially within ADIO and the SAVI cluster, is imagining what the next 20 years are going to look like in terms of mobility, logistics, and liveability.'Malek argued that amid population growth and higher traffic volumes, skyward would be the way to go. 'If we look at the airspace above you, it is empty. It's unutilised. How can we tap into that? How can we reduce emissions? How can we reduce the travel time?' he said. Malek emphasised that urban air mobility would not be an exclusive service for the wealthy. Rather, it would be priced at a point that could make it a real alternative for many Abu Dhabi residents, he said. The goal, he added, is to build enough infrastructure and air vehicles so that 'it will be scalable, and you can use it on a daily basis.'Outlining multiple potential use cases, he cited that air taxis could also serve sectors such as tourism, logistics, and healthcare for urgent medical deliveries. 'As battery technologies evolve, you will see the range of [use cases] extending, and you would have a choice between taking the high-speed train from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah or taking air taxi,' he said. Beyond Air Taxis Malek emphasised that these air mobility trials are driven by a clear goal of commercialisation.'We are not testing just to test. We're testing to commercialise. We identified that 70% of demand is on logistics, from food delivery to blood supplies and shore-to-ship deliveries,' he said. To assess demand for air mobility services, he noted that Abu Dhabi has conducted a comprehensive survey involving 52 government entities. The resulting data is guiding ADIO's priorities as it works with private sector partners like Archer. Beyond air taxis, Malek said the SAVI cluster is working on use cases for drones in logistics that could be in service even sooner. 'If we specifically talk about Archer, that's the next milestone in the coming months. If we're talking about the drones and drone logistics, it will be a lot sooner than that.'
The National
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- The National
Flying taxi soars over Abu Dhabi in aviation milestone
Archer Aviation has completed the first test flight in Abu Dhabi of its air taxi in a move designed to revolutionise transport in the UAE. The flight took place at the capital's Al Bateen airport on Wednesday morning with the operation designed to put the aircraft through hot weather testing as anticipation builds for the eventual launch of commercial flights. The vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft called Midnight was unpiloted but it is expected that commercial flights, once approved, will be piloted. It is hoped that air taxis could bolster public transport options and ease congestion on the roads as Abu Dhabi's population continues to surge. The California-based air taxi company, which has completed tests in the US, said its vision is to replace 60 to 90-minute car journeys with 10 to 20-minute electric air taxi trips. Video footage showed the aircraft soaring over the city adjacent to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. During the flight, technicians tested its performance under extreme heat, humidity, dust and other conditions. 'What we've seen today is the first step towards launching electric air taxis in Abu Dhabi,' Talib Alhinai, general manager for Archer Aviation in the UAE, told The National adding it was 'the first of many flights that we hope to do in this country'. 'We're very excited to test our aircraft in the hottest months of the year and, if we can show that we can be ready for these conditions, it means … we can operate anywhere, anytime.' Archer said Midnight can carry four passengers and a pilot, is fully electric, has a potential range of about 150km and can fly at speeds of up to 241kph. It can perform both vertical and conventional take-off and landing with Wednesday's test being a vertical take-off. The test flight supports Archer's partnership with Abu Dhabi Aviation, which aims to establish air taxi services in Abu Dhabi. The company is working with authorities to launch in Abu Dhabi – the first market in the world that Archer will launch in – and the aircraft will be going through the full approvals process by the UAE's aviation regulator General Civil Aviation Authority before any commercial services start. Also on Wednesday, the GCAA issued the world's first regulatory framework for hybrid operations, Wam reported. This aims to enable both electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft and conventional helicopters to operate interchangeably on the same infrastructure. The launch of air taxis has been eagerly anticipated in the UAE for years. It comes as the population of Abu Dhabi continues to surge with major knock-on effects for public transport but much work remains such as developing the vertiport network. While Archer would not reveal a precise launch date for commercial services, Mr Alhinai said it was hoped they could share that 'in the next several months'. Mr Alhinai also said they were careful about revealing how much taking an air taxi would cost but they were working on price tiers similar to 'upper tier' of ride share services. 'We're a bit careful in terms of determining what that final cost would be because there's just still some final information that we're finalising on what the locations would be and where we would be flying from,' he said, adding that the service was aimed at the general public. It was previously reported prices would be about Dh300 to Dh350 for inner-city travel. Archer had already announced the first 'heliport' would be located in the Mina Zayed Cruise terminal with the existing helipad being converted to dual use by the end of 2025. The Mina Zayed location is close to key sites such as the port, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Island. He said it was finalising 'very exciting' other sites. When launched, it is envisaged that people can book a ride through a smartphone app in the same way one would hire a taxi today. Also under consideration is integration of the service with other modes of public transport from buses to future train services such as Etihad Rail's network, which is set to launch in 2026. 'That's something we think about very intentionally when we look at the design of our Abu Dhabi network,' said Mr Alhinai and it wanted customers to 'have a 'seamless journey from door-to-door' with 'extensive studies' undertaken. Mr Alhinai said it was entirely feasible to have air taxis flying across the city on aerial motorways as helicopters already do on routes across the city. 'Whether it's government, military, or ambulance services … they all follow specific routes over the city. Electric air taxis, when they deploy, will follow those exact same routes. If, in the future, we find that there are hundreds of vehicles in the market and it's creating … congestion in the skies … then there's other solutions being worked on by regulators,' he said. 'We really think that proving this successfully in Abu Dhabi means we can prove this successfully in other markets.' Abu Dhabi Investment Office is working with the company on the project. 'This flight marks a significant step towards realising Abu Dhabi's ambition to lead the world in advanced urban air mobility,' said Badr Al Olama, director general of the office. Omran Malek, head of smart autonomous vehicle industry at the office, told The National that Wednesday's test was a 'first step among many to come'. 'We are testing to commercialise,' said Mr Malek. 'In Abu Dhabi we're not just launching an air taxi service, we're launching an ecosystem. 'So from pilot training to maintenance, repair and operations to talent development and the manufacturing part,' he said. Mr Malek said if you looked at the sky above many cities it was 'empty' and 'we need to use and utilise that space above us'. He pointed to the fact Abu Dhabi has many islands – several are being developed – and air taxis could cut the length of travelling between them sharply. 'If you want to go from one island to another, you have to use a bridge but point to point it could take you five to 10 minutes.' Reiterating that integration of the planned air taxi network was crucial, he said they were thinking of how people get off Etihad Rail or use the bus stations and if transport across sea, air and land could be joined up it would be 'a jackpot'. The test follows a separate one on Monday in Dubai by Joby Aviation of its aerial taxi. Four 'vertiports' are planned there as well as tests last month in Abu Dhabi from a different operator. Mr Malek said the efforts were all down to the 'ecosystem from the federal to the government agencies that have worked all together, all marching in the same direction'. 'This technology is coming from abroad but because of the regulatory agility we have, it's being deployed here,' he said. 'And we're considering also exporting this know-how around the region to deploy these systems.'
Globe and Mail
10 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Here's Why Archer Aviation Stock Is a Buy Before Aug. 1
Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) is working to bring air taxis to the world. It already has an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft called Midnight that is being tested for reliability. That's the next big step, but as a start-up trying to break into a capital-intensive industry, Archer is in a race against the clock. When it reports second-quarter earnings in early August, the update is likely to be very positive. Here's why more-aggressive investors might want to buy before the upcoming earnings release. What does Archer Aviation do? Right now, Archer spends lots and lots of money -- and for good reason. The company is looking to break into the aerospace industry, which is a mature business sector with a small number of very large players that dominate the space. So it is taking on a very material task. The edge that Archer is trying to exploit is a new type of aircraft. Its eVTOL is a short-haul airplane that will be used as an air taxi. That's a completely different way to think about airplanes. It already has a prototype and is starting to ramp up production. The airplanes it is producing are largely meant for testing, so it isn't making money selling them just yet. But it has to spend money because it needs to have its eVTOL fully vetted by regulators if it wants to earn approval by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to carry commercial customers. There are two big issues that come out of this strategy. FAA approval is highly important to Archer's future. And, since it can't really earn money until it gets that approval, access to capital is also vitally important. Second-quarter earnings are likely to show improvement on both fronts. Where does Archer stand today? As of the first quarter of 2025, the company estimated that it was about 15% complete with a key FAA approval process. That was up a tiny two percentage points from the end of 2024. However, management made a key comment in its first-quarter shareholder letter, noting that the pace of the approval process was likely to increase. On that score, a company press release on June 2 described a piloted flight of its aircraft as it moved on to the next phase of flight testing. It discussed the piloted test flight, but the real point of the release is to tell the world that it is moving forward in the FAA approval process. When the company reports earnings, this flight -- and any subsequent flights -- will likely be discussed in greater detail. And there will be an update on the overall approval progress. Assuming the pace of approval picks up, as management has suggested, the company is moving closer and closer to generating revenue. That said, it is still a cash-burning start-up. So investors will also want to pay close attention to Archer's balance sheet. And the update here also seems likely to be a positive one. That's because it sold 85 million shares of Class A common stock for $10 per share. With the sale, the company reported that its liquidity position was around $2 billion. The more cash it has, the more likely it is that it will be able to fund itself through the approval process. More good news is coming Archer's way All in, it seems like Archer Aviation's second-quarter 2025 earnings will be filled with good news. And that backs the long-term thesis for investors buying the stock in the hopes it can successfully break into the aerospace industry with an air taxi. To be fair, it is still a high-risk investment, so only more-aggressive investors should be looking at it. But if you can handle owning a risky stock, buying before Archer Aviation's next earnings update could make a lot of sense. Should you invest $1,000 in Archer Aviation right now? Before you buy stock in Archer Aviation, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Archer Aviation wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $697,627!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $939,655!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is1,045% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to178%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 30, 2025
