Saudi Arabia has advanced significantly toward the future of urban transportation through the formal announcement of a collaboration with Archer Aviation, a prominent American enterprise specializing in vertical take-off and landing aircraft, with the objective of implementing air taxi services within the Kingdom.

The agreement was executed during the CoMotion Global Summit in Riyadh, where senior Saudi officials articulated a vision for how advanced air mobility could revolutionize transportation within the nation's most populous urban centers, according to Asharq Al Awsat.

Under the collaboration, Saudi Arabia and Archer will initiate the development of a regulatory framework for VTOL operations. This will include aligning certification and safety standards with the United States Federal Aviation Administration and preparing for phased commercial deployment. Plans also include pilot test flights, infrastructure assessments, and public awareness campaigns to ensure readiness for full-scale operations.

“This partnership strengthens the regulatory and operational foundations we need to integrate VTOL aircraft into our national aviation network,” said Capt. Suleiman Al Muheimeed, GACA’s Executive Vice President for Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability. “It supports our roadmap for advanced air mobility and reflects our ambition to lead in this space.”

Archer founder and CEO Adam Goldstein praised Saudi Arabia’s clarity and urgency in pursuing a next-generation mobility ecosystem. “We are honoured to be part of this transformative effort,” he said, noting the collaboration will help bring sustainable, low-noise air transport to millions.

Source: Gulf News