Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi will be home to the UAE’s first hospital vertiport for flying taxis, it announced on Wednesday.
The vertiport will cut travel time between Cleveland Clinic and nearby locations, compared to ground transport, the hospital said. The service could be used for non-emergency patients or time-critical organ transport.
The announcement was made in partnership with Archer Aviation, which said its Midnight aircraft can carry up to four passengers while producing less noise and lower emissions than traditional helicopters.
“This new mode of emission-free transport aligns with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s commitment to sustainability, gives additional options to many patients travelling to our hospital for care, and provides our thriving organ transplant programme with fast logistics,” said Dr Georges-Pascal Haber, the clinic's chief executive.
There was no indication as to when the vertiport will be operational, but The National has reached out for more detail.
The UAE is pressing ahead with its high-tech transport plans, which include drones, driverless taxis and air taxis.
Last month, it was announced that Ras Al Khaimah expects to launch its first passenger air taxi service by 2027, complementing similar plans in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
