UAE flying taxis are scheduled for liftoff in 2025, and the hunt for pilots to fly Dubai to Abu Dhabi commute routes has already begun.
Archer Aviation revealed it has signed a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with Etihad Training to lay the foundation for a partnership to enlist and train potential pilots for Archer’s Midnight aircraft in Abu Dhabi to fly planes across the UAE.
The MOU was declared at the onset of the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Archer is presenting its Midnight aircraft for the first time in the country.
Also read: EaseMyTrip presents latest travel services at Arabian Travel Market 2024
Nikhil Goel, Archer’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Training a fleet of pilots to operate our aircraft is a critically important part of our efforts to establish a thriving urban air mobility network in Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE, and Etihad Training is the premier organisation to partner with on this front.
“As Etihad Training’s first eVTOL partner, we will commence a thoughtful recruiting process and begin to train the first class of qualified pilots to operate Archer’s Midnight aircraft for commercial operations within the region.”
Captain Paolo La Cava, Etihad Training’s CEO, said: “Etihad Aviation Training today recruits and trains pilots to fly with dozens of global airlines.
“We couldn’t be more excited to choose Archer as our first eVTOL partner to recruit and train the first class of electric air taxi pilots to fly Archer’s Midnight aircraft right here in Abu Dhabi as soon as 2025.
“We look forward to installing the Archer Midnight flight simulator in our facilities later this year.”
As part of the planned partnership, Archer plans to deliver a Midnight aircraft simulator to be placed and staffed by Etihad Training at its training center in Abu Dhabi for the research and development of pilot training skills, to assist the necessary regulatory certifications.
Etihad Training will offer local guidance and expertise as they further liaise with the GCAA and other local authorities to set up suitable pilot training criteria in the UAE, all in support of the secure and efficient operation of Archer’s aircraft.
Archer has been collaborating with various entities within Abu Dhabi and Dubai to expedite the operation of its air taxi services across the region.
In April, Archer and ADIO signed an agreement that expedites Archer’s planned commercial air taxi operations in the UAE, scheduled to kick off as early as next year.
This involves in-country production, operations, and training across the area. This comprehensive agreement positions Abu Dhabi as one of the leading global promoters of urban air mobility, with intentions to start air taxi operations with Archer’s Midnight aircraft as soon as next year.
Archer’s objective is to revolutionize urban travel, replacing 60–90-minute car commutes with estimated 10–20-minute electric air taxi flights that are secure, eco-friendly, low noise, and cost-competitive with ground transportation.
Archer’s Midnight is a piloted, four-passenger aircraft engineered to execute rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charging time between flights.
flying taxis
