Aircraft
Archer Flies Midnight eVTOL Aircraft Prototype in Abu Dhabi
Rival eVTOL developer Joby recently began flying its four-seat air taxi in Dubai
Archer's Midnight aircraft flying at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi
Archer's Midnight eVTOL aircraft made its first test flights at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi on July 2, 2025. © Archer Aviation

Archer Aviation has begun test flights with its Midnight eVTOL prototype at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi, marking its first flights outside the U.S., the California-based aircraft manufacturer announced on July 2. Flight test operations in the UAE will focus on evaluating the aircraft’s performance in hot, humid, and dusty conditions, where temperatures were close to 100-deg F this week.

“Testing our aircraft in actual operating conditions in the middle of summer provides us with the data we need to progress our commercial and certification efforts both in the UAE and in the U.S.,” said Archer CEO Adam Goldstein.