Archer has completed an initial test flight of its Midnight aircraft at AI Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi.
The flight, which marks a key milestone for the aircraft’s planned commercial deployment in the UAE, was supported by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC) and witnessed by senior leadership from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the Integrated Transport Centre, Abu Dhabi Aviation and Abu Dhabi Airports, as well as Archer’s regional partners.
The test flight focused on the aircraft’s ability to operate in UAE-specific conditions including high temperature, humidity and dust exposure.
Archer has confirmed that, following the successful test, it will begin to expand Midnight’s flight-testing programme within the region in order to gather additional data and support its certification and commercialisation plans in both the UAE and other markets.
H.E. Badr Al-Olama, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, said:This flight marks a significant step towards realising Abu Dhabi’s ambition to lead the world in advanced urban air mobility.
Through the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) Cluster, we are enabling companies like Archer to test, certify and scale next-generation air mobility solutions, reinforcing our position as a global launchpad for innovation and a hub for transformative technologies.
