ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates is set to introduce air taxi services in Abu Dhabi by 2026 with a new state-of-the-art hybrid heliport.
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has granted the design approval for the country’s first hybrid heliport.
The heliport, set to be constructed at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal in Zayed Port, will accommodate both traditional helicopters and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Announced on Wednesday, the project marks the region’s first facility of its kind and plays a central role in the UAE’s broader vision for a connected and sustainable urban mobility network.
The initiative is being developed through a strategic collaboration between AD Ports Group, Falcon Aviation Services, and US-based Archer Aviation.
“The hybrid heliport will serve as a key launch point for the Abu Dhabi Air Taxi service, planned for rollout by 2026, connecting key locations across the city with quiet and efficient air mobility solutions,” the GCAA confirmed in a statement.
Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal is one of the busiest terminals for the regional cruise industry, which hosts over 650,000 visitors annually.
The terminal provides direct access to cultural landmarks, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Saadiyat Cultural District.
The heliport will support aircraft like Archer’s Midnight, an all-electric air taxi designed for short-range urban travel. Archer has identified Abu Dhabi as a priority launch market, with test flights of the Midnight scheduled to begin this summer.
“Currently, there are more than 70 helipads in Abu Dhabi. So, there’s a really great opportunity,” Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer at Archer Aviation, said.
“We plan to leverage the existing helipads, then add electrification to those facilities so that we can go launch quickly and scale up rapidly with minimal capital.”
The project also represents a global first in terms of regulation. The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is the world’s first civil aviation authority to create dedicated regulatory standards for hybrid infrastructure, enabling the safe and integrated operation of both helicopters and eVTOLs from a single platform. These standards are expected to be released by July 2025.
“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,” said GCAA Director-General Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi. “This approval represents a new era for civil aviation, driven by partnership and vision.”
Currently, Falcon Aviation Services offers heli-tours from the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, giving visitors panoramic views of the city.
