Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

Air Chateau International, a private heliport operator in the UAE, intends to purchase up to 100 Midnight eVTOL aircraft from Archer Aviation in a deal worth $500 million. In a memorandum of understanding signed at the Dubai Airshow on November 16, Air Chateau agreed to send Archer a nonrefundable pre-delivery payment of $1 million by the end of December. According to Archer, it will work with Air Chateau over the coming months to “formalize the definitive agreements,” and it expects to receive another $4 million in pre-delivery payments after they seal the deal.&nbsp;
Archer’s <a href="https://futureflight.aero/aircraft-program/midnight">Midnight</a> is a piloted, four-passenger eVTOL aircraft that will initially serve routes connecting major airports and city centers. The California-based company plans to launch its first commercial air taxi routes in New York and Chicago in 2025, and it recently signaled its intent to bring the aircraft to international markets shortly thereafter. In October, the company partnered with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office with the goal of launching commercial <a href="https://futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-10-17/abu-dhabi-launches-evtol-air-taxi-plan-through-alliance-archer-aviation">air taxi services in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai</a> in 2026.&nbsp;
Air Chateau intends to operate Archer’s piloted, four-passenger eVTOL aircraft in Dubai and other locations in the UAE, where it is also working with partners to build more <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-10-12/arcosjet-and-air-chateau-pair-dubai-heliport-plan">ground infrastructure for helicopters</a> as well as future eVTOL air taxis. The helicopter operator has been running an eight-pad commercial heliport at the VIP terminal of Dubai World Central (DWC) Al Maktoum International Airport since 2021, and it is working to open the country's first off-airport commercial helicopter hangar in April 2024.
“Embarking on our journey into being an infrastructure provider two years ago for helicopters, today, we stand at the precipice of realizing our vision for the future of urban air mobility with eVTOLs in Dubai and across the UAE,” said Air Chateau founder and chairman Samir Mohamed.&nbsp;
At the MEBAA business aviation trade show in December 2022, Air Chateau signed an agreement with Swedish infrastructure start-up <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-08-30/kookiejar-sees-yachts-burgers-and-bus-stops-paving-way-vertiport-networks">Kookiejar</a> to develop a vertiport alongside the heliport and VIP lounge at DWC. During the Dubai Airshow this week, Kookiejar also partnered with Eve Air Mobility, Embraer’s urban air mobility division, to develop an <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-11-14/eve-launches-urban-air-mobility-partnerships-dubai-and-india">urban air traffic management system in Dubai</a>.&nbsp;

Read the latest news about Archer Aviation. 

Hanneke Weitering

Air Chateau and Archer Aviation signed a memorandum of understanding at the Dubai Airshow on November 16. (Photo: Archer Aviation)

Dubai Heliport Operator Plans To Purchase Archer's Midnight eVTOL Air Taxi

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

In this article

Archer Aviation

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN