Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

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UAE-based private flight provider Falcon Aviation will launch eVTOL air services connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai under an agreement with manufacturer Archer. The partnership announced today calls for the two companies to develop a network of vertiports connecting the two cities with Archer’s four-passenger Midnight aircraft, with operations to begin as early as 2025.
The starting point for the joint operation will be the Falcon Tours Heliport Terminal at Dubai’s Atlantis The Palm resort that Falcon Aviation upgraded last year and officially opened on Friday. Abu Dhabi-based Falcon already provides helicopter charter flights and sightseeing tours across the UAE, as well as operating business jets and providing ground handling and maintenance support to other companies.
Flights from Atlantis will connect with the Marina Mall Heliport in Abu Dhabi’s Corniche district. Flying over the Gulf, the Midnight aircraft will make the trip in 30 minutes from takeoff to landing, which compares with a 90-mile drive of around two hours during peak traffic. The two companies now plan to adapt <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-02-14/dubai-ruler-gives-go-ahead-vertiport-network-plans">the existing heliports</a> for use by eVTOLs.
“For nearly two decades, Falcon Aviation has been at the forefront of helicopter passenger transport in the UAE,” said company CEO Ramandeep Oberoi. “Our partnership with Archer is a leap into the future, as we prepare to offer flying car services together in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, continuing our tradition of world-class transportation solutions.”
Falcon Aviation has previously evaluated Eve Air Mobility’s four-passenger eVTOL, which is not expected to complete type certification before the end of 2026. The company also had discussions with other eVTOL aircraft developers, including Joby Aviation, AutoFlight, Overair, and Ascendance.
<h2>Archer Goes Head-to-head with Rival Joby</h2>
Last month, Dubai’s government <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2024-02-12/dubai-gives-joby-exclusive-rights-local-evtol-air-taxi-market">granted Joby exclusive access</a> to the local market for on-demand air taxi services within the emirate for a six-year period. The <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-02-29/blog-could-monopolies-be-norm-evtol-air-taxi-services">agreement with the Road and Transport Authority</a> envisions operations from a network of vertiports, with the first four locations being at Dubai International Airport, the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai marina, and Dubai downtown.
The agreement between Archer and Falcon Aviation builds on a memorandum of understanding forged last year in which the UAE-based company agreed in principle to operate the Midnight aircraft, which Archer is aiming to have certified and ready to enter service in 2025. The collaboration is backed by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, which is expected to make an undisclosed investment in what is set to be Archer’s first international operation. Archer will participate in Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry cluster.
In November, during the Dubai Airshow, Archer signed an agreement with <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2023-11-13/archer-stakes-claim-evtol-markets-uae-and-india">India’s InterGlobe Enterprises</a> that could lead to the purchase of up to 200 Midnights. These would be used for commercial flights in cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
“We have made rapid progress in the UAE over the past three months since announcing Abu Dhabi and Dubai will be home to our first international Midnight flights as soon as 2025,” said Archer chief commercial officer Nikhil Goel. “We’re proud to be the first to announce plans to operate between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, along with vertiport infrastructure at both ends of the commuter journey.”

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