A flying car network between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is set to begin in 2025 after Falcon Aviation and Archer announced a collaboration on developing the required infrastructure.
Under this partnership, vertiports will be built at Falcon Heliport at Atlantis, the Palm in Dubai, and the Marina Mall heliport in Abu Dhabi’s Corniche.
The collaboration plans to launch a passenger service with Archer’s Midnight flying car, connecting these Falcon vertiports.
This aims to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities, where driving can often exceed two hours in peak traffic, according to a press release.
The service is poised to benefit residents, commuters seeking to avoid traffic congestion, tourists, and future government planners, provided efficiency is demonstrated and costs are affordable.
In a joint statement, the two companies affirmed that this collaboration represents a significant milestone toward the introduction of Archer’s Midnight flying car with Falcon Aviation in the UAE and across the Middle East and North Africa region as early as next year.
The vehicle will primarily traverse over water, in a journey that will take 30 minutes from takeoff to landing.
Adam Goldstein, Archer’s founder and CEO, noted that forming partnerships with established operators like Falcon Aviation and receiving support from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office has been crucial in rapidly establishing their regional presence.
“We look forward to paving the way for the introduction of our Midnight aircraft to the region which will set the stage for the UAE to become a global leader in urban air mobility,” he said.
Earlier in March, Falcon Aviation inaugurated its renovated heliport terminal, extending its presence at Atlantis, the Palm, a five-star resort.
The companies emphasized that this venture is a pivotal component of Archer’s strategic expansion, with the UAE positioned to become its inaugural international launch market as early as next year.
The partnership reinforces the memorandum of understanding signed between the firms last year, where Falcon Aviation agreed to operate scores of the companies’ Midnight flying cars.
Archer’s Chief Commercial Officer Nikhil Goel said: “We have made rapid progress in the UAE over the past three months since announcing Abu Dhabi and Dubai will be home to our first international Midnight flights as soon as 2025. We’re proud to be the first to announce plans to operate between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, along with vertiport infrastructure at both ends of the commuter journey.”