Abu Dhabi: The much-anticipated air taxi service that reduces the travel time between Dubai and Abu Dhabi to just 10 – 20 minutes will be launched by the end of 2025. Currently, it would take at least 60 – 90 minutes to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. The authorities of Archer Aviation said that the Midnight air taxis will start service as soon as they reach Dubai by the end of the year. Abu Dhabi will become the first city in the Middle East to offer exclusive air taxi service. Meanwhile, the ticket fares of the flight taxis could range from 800 to 1500 dirham.

The air taxi ride within Dubai will cost around 300 – 350 dirhams; it could go up to 800 dirhams if the trip is to another emirate. So, the fares are determined by the distance. The flying taxi will take only 10 – 20 minutes for journeys that would take at least one and a half hours via road. The authorities plan to complete the trial flights by the end of the year and launch the service. By 2026, air taxi services will be launched in all the major Emirates in the country. The Archer Midnight flight can accommodate up to five persons, including a pilot and four passengers. These will fly at an altitude of 500 – 3000 feet. Meanwhile, the routes will be finalised only after procuring the aviation department's report.

The authorities hope that the air taxi service will give an impetus to Dubai’s tourism sector. Abu Dhabi Aviation Group and Archer Aviation have reportedly signed a contract to start air taxi services inside and outside the country. The UAE's first commercial vertiport - designated areas for takeoff, landing, and flying taxi service - is named Dubai International Vertiport (DXV). It is the first of the four upcoming vetriports, and the other three will be in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown and Dubai Marina. They will be at Al Bateen, Yas Island, and Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi. LODD, an Abu Dhabi-based company specialising in AI-powered drone technology and autonomous aerial logistics, and Skyports Infrastructure announced at the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) in February this year.

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