A shift in urban travel, replacing 60- to 90-minute car journeys with 10- to 20-minute flights.
Abu Dhabi aims to become the world’s first city to launch flying taxis, after securing a deal to operate the service by late 2025.
The cooperation with the company will witness Archer AviationThe US-based company also produces a fleet of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufactured in Abu Dhabi.
According to the website “independent“ Archer’s Midnight eVTOL will transport up to four passengers per vehicle between various ‘vertical airports’ spread across Abu Dhabi, reducing travel time by up to 80%.
Transformation in urban travel
“Archer’s aim is to transform urban travel, replacing 60-90 minute car journeys with 10-20 minute flights that are safe, sustainable, low-noise and cost-competitive with road transport,” an Archer spokesperson told The Independent.
“The Archer Midnight vehicle has similar levels of safety to commercial aircraft, while being 100 times quieter than a helicopter at cruising altitudes,” he added.
Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft can carry passengers at speeds of up to 240 kilometers per hour (150 mph).
Next generation transportation
The agreement with Archer includes Abu Dhabi Airports, Etihad Aviation Training, the General Civil Aviation Authority, Global Air Navigation Services, andGlobal Aerospace Logistics, and the Integrated Transport Centre.
“The comprehensive support from our partners, coupled with Abu Dhabi’s forward-looking approach to next-generation transportation, creates an ideal environment for the launch of Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft,” said an Archer spokesperson.
This collaboration between business and government entities means that operational and regulatory issues can be solved side by side.
Safer, cleaner and less noisy
Archer eVTOL aircraft are integral to the transformation of land, sea and air transportation in Abu Dhabi, said Borgogna, who helped launch the Smart Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) Centre in Abu Dhabi.
“People are very excited about using VTOL aircraft,” he told The Independent.
“It will reduce flight time, while also being safer, cleaner and less noisy than helicopters,” he added.
