UAE Inspects Archer and Joby eVTOL Aircraft, Paving Way for First Commercial Air Taxi Flight

The United Arab Emirates has inspected the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft of Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation, advancing both companies' path to commercial air taxi operations. The Motley Fool reported that a first commercial flight could occur before the end of 2026.

UAE Meetings Bring Archer and Joby Closer to Service

Archer is a US-based aerospace company developing the all-electric Midnight eVTOL aircraft for short urban air taxi routes, serving commercial airlines, defense agencies, and international operating partners under an asset-light contract manufacturing model. The UAE recently held meetings with both Archer and Joby Aviation, according to The Motley Fool. Neither company has a guaranteed commercial start date, but a launch before the end of 2026 is a possibility, the report said.

Both companies have spent years developing and testing their eVTOL vehicles to prove safety and reliability to regulators. The approval process has been slow because eVTOLs are a new technology and no clear regulatory path exists. The US federal government is backing eVTOL technology, and Archer plans to provide eVTOL services at the 2028 Olympics in California. The first commercial flight would be a significant step for either company even if it slips into early 2027, The Motley Fool reported.

Archer's UAE Certification and Abu Dhabi Partnership

According to akta.pro company records, Archer secured a UAE GCAA Restricted Type Certificate for the Midnight aircraft in May 2026, becoming the first eVTOL manufacturer to enter the program. The company partnered with Abu Dhabi Aviation to launch limited commercial air taxi operations in Abu Dhabi under that framework, supported by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office's SAVI cluster initiative. The same records show Archer had approximately $1.8 billion in cash and equivalents, providing two to three years of runway given average annual cash burn of $538 million.

Earlier Steps Toward UAE Operations

In October 2026, The Motley Fool reported that Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation are securing Pentagon contracts for eVTOLs, with Joby's contract worth up to $163 million and Archer's up to $142 million. Also in October 2026, Stock Titan reported that Archer's Midnight air taxi completed multiple piloted flights over the San Francisco Bay, including a roughly 10-minute trip from Oakland to San Francisco's Marina District. In May 2026, Archer secured the UAE GCAA Restricted Type Certificate and partnered with Abu Dhabi Aviation, according to akta.pro company records.

What to Watch for Archer and Joby

A first commercial flight for either company is possible before the end of 2026, though no date is guaranteed. Running a large air taxi service will require both companies to ramp up production of their aircraft, the S4 for Joby and the Midnight for Archer, The Motley Fool reported.