Abu Dhabi air taxi test flights scheduled in July: Hiring cost, time taken and how to book

Abu Dhabi/ Al Ain: The much-anticipated test flight of the UAE’s first air taxi will be held in July at Al Ain. The authorities hope to launch the air taxis by the end of this year. The air taxis will be flying at an altitude of 500 – 3000 metres above the ground. Adam Goldstein, the CEO of Archer Aviation, who leads the project, said that the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) will open a special air route for the test flight and that the approval process is in the final stages.

It would take only 10 – 20 minutes in an air taxi to cover the distance that would take at least one and a half hours via road. Meanwhile, hiring an air taxi inside the city would cost at least 300 dirhams. The GCAA has approved Archer Aviation’s design to turn the Mina Zayed in Abu Dhabi cruise terminal into a heliport. The innovative design allows both helicopters and air taxis to operate from here. Government authorities finalised the contract with Archer Aviation in March of last year. Per the contract, vertiports would be constructed at various spots in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for the air taxi service. The service would be available only within Abu Dhabi in the initial phase.

The authorities hope to flag off services from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, Ras Al Khaima, Al Ain and back by mid-2026. The service between both Emirates would be based on the vertiports built at the Palm Jumeirah Atlantis and the Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi Corniche. Moreover, the air taxi ride promises a scintillating aerial view of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Passengers could book air taxi services via the mobile app Archer Aviation developed.