The Midnight eVOTL air taxi by Archer Aviation during a test flight. Photo: Archer Aviation
The Midnight eVOTL air taxi by Archer Aviation during a test flight. Photo: Archer Aviation
The Midnight eVOTL air taxi by Archer Aviation during a test flight. Photo: Archer Aviation
The Midnight eVOTL air taxi by Archer Aviation during a test flight. Photo: Archer Aviation

UAE approves hybrid heliport plan as air taxis prepare for lift-off


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Abu Dhabi's ambitious drive to launch flying taxis by next year has moved closer to lift-off after plans for the country's first hybrid heliport in the capital were approved.

Regulator the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority on Wednesday said it had accepted the design for the heliport at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Zayed Port.

The heliport will be able to accommodate traditional helicopters and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, such as US-based Archer Aviation's Midnight flying taxi.

It has been developed in a strategic partnership between AD Ports Group, Falcon Aviation Services and Archer Aviation, marking a key step forward in the emirate's efforts to provide sustainable air transport.

The site was chosen due to the location at Zayed Port, which welcomes more than 650,000 visitors annually and is intended to be a gateway to the emirate's attractions such as Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Saadiyat Cultural District.

“This milestone is not just about infrastructure – it reflects the UAE’s unwavering commitment to innovation and global leadership in advanced air mobility,” said Saif Al Suwaidi, director general of the GCAA.

“Through our close collaboration with Archer, AD Ports Group, and Falcon Aviation Services, we are enabling a future where sustainable, high-tech air transport becomes a core part of our urban landscape. This approval represents a new era for civil aviation, driven by partnership and vision.”

The GCAA has finalised a regulatory framework to govern the safe and efficient use of rapidly evolving air transport services, which is due to be published by July.

“Leveraging existing aviation assets is a cornerstone of our launch strategy,” said Adam Goldstein, chief executive and co-founder of Archer.

“It allows us to move both quickly and safely – getting critical infrastructure ready ahead of our planned commercial air taxi launch.”

The hybrid heliport will serve as a key launch point for Abu Dhabi air taxi services, with plans for roll-out by 2026.

Vision for future takes flight

Archer Aviation has identified the Corniche, Saadiyat Island and some areas of Abu Dhabi city as among the most promising places in which to run its electric air taxi service.

Nikhil Goel, chief commercial officer at Archer Aviation, told The National this month that a network would be revealed in “the near future”.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office is working with the company to make the capital its first international launch site, with plans to establish its first international headquarters and manufacturing plant in the city.

Mr Goel said that Archer would start commercial operations with “less than five” air taxis, each with a capacity of four passengers, plus the pilot, which can fly a distance exceeding 161km at a top speed of 241kph.

“We want to make sure that everything is working properly, everybody has a good customer experience and from there, we'll scale as much as the demand can accommodate,” he said.

Archer Aviation will be carrying out rigorous testing to ensure the vehicles are safe and reliable for service before commercial operations begin. Mr Goel said it is bringing the first Midnight eVTOL to Abu Dhabi this summer, which will then undergo test flights.

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Started: 2013

Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev

Sector: e-commerce

Size: 600 plus

Stage: still in talks with VCs

Principal Investors: self-financed by founder

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, last-16, second leg (first-leg scores in brackets):

PSG (2) v Manchester United (0)

Midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports

The Beach Bum

Director: Harmony Korine

Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg

Two stars

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

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Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

At Eternity’s Gate

Director: Julian Schnabel

Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen

Three stars

Reading List

Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:

Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung

How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh

The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever

Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays

How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen

THE SCORES

Ireland 125 all out

(20 overs; Stirling 72, Mustafa 4-18)

UAE 125 for 5

(17 overs, Mustafa 39, D’Silva 29, Usman 29)

UAE won by five wickets

Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021

Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.

Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.

Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.

Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.

Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.

Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.

Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”

Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI. 

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

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Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

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