Abu Dhabi air taxi services set to launch by end of 2026

Abu Dhabi expects to begin commercial air taxi services by the end of 2026 or early 2027 as part of a broader plan to integrate road, maritime and air travel under a unified transport platform. Authorities say preparations for the rollout are nearing completion, with infrastructure, aircraft demonstrations and operational systems already in development.

Official confirmation

“The air taxi will soon start operating in Abu Dhabi by the end of this year or the beginning of next year,” said Dr Abdulla Hamad Al Ghfeli, Acting Director-General of the Integrated Transport Centre (now Abu Dhabi Mobility), while speaking at the Forbes Middle East Building the Future Summit.

Program background and aircraft

Abu Dhabi launched its commercial air taxi ecosystem in 2024 through a partnership between Archer Aviation and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office. The initiative expanded in 2025 when Abu Dhabi Aviation joined as Archer’s first Launch Edition customer, creating a direct pathway toward commercial operations.

Archer Aviation’s Midnight electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft completed its first demonstration flight in Abu Dhabi on July 2, 2025, at Al Bateen Executive Airport. The all-electric Midnight carries four passengers plus a pilot, has a range of up to 161 kilometres and a top speed of 241 km/h. Its configuration combines a fixed wing with 12 electric motors: six forward-tilt motors that rotate during flight to transition from vertical lift to forward flight in around 45 seconds, and six rear motors that provide lift during take-off and landing.

Operational and digital integration

Alongside air taxi deployment, Abu Dhabi Mobility plans to introduce a mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) digital platform within months that will allow users to plan, book and pay for journeys across multiple transport modes through a single application. Dr Al Ghfeli said the system is comparable to the UAE government’s TAMM platform and will build on an already introduced automated fare collection system; work is underway to integrate payments across the emirate’s transport network.

• Infrastructure: Conversion of the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal helipad into a hybrid facility for helicopters and eVTOLs;
• Vertiports: More than 10 vertiports are planned, with first locations including Zayed International Airport, Al Bateen Executive Airport, Yas Island, Saadiyat Island and Abu Dhabi Island;
• Fleet and operations: Archer plans an initial Midnight fleet supported by trained pilots, maintenance teams, operational software and a dedicated passenger booking platform.

Technology, planning and outlook

Officials are using artificial intelligence to combine data from population growth, housing, public transport services, taxi operations and road sensors to forecast demand, improve traffic management and support infrastructure planning. Dr Al Ghfeli said the integrated command platform will help anticipate congestion, respond more quickly to incidents and optimise movement across modes.

Speaking on the same panel, Capt Saif Al Mheiri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Maritime and Group Chief Sustainability and Risk Officer at AD Ports Group, highlighted digital tools’ role in improving port operations and cutting emissions. Frederico Justus, CEO for the Middle East and South Asia at Egis, urged transport planning to evolve alongside urban development to support population growth and create connected cities.

With aircraft demonstrations complete and infrastructure plans advancing, Abu Dhabi is positioning the new service as a complementary layer in a unified mobility ecosystem, aiming to deliver seamless transfers between road, sea and air for passengers across the emirate.