en.Wedoany.com Reported - The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has transitioned Archer's Midnight aircraft into the Restricted Type Certificate (RTC) program, advancing the regulatory pathway for the aircraft to enter service in the UAE.
The GCAA announced on Thursday that Archer is the first eVTOL original equipment manufacturer to collaborate with the GCAA in transitioning to the RTC certification track, with its airworthiness pathway aligned with international aviation frameworks.
Adam Goldstein, Founder and CEO of Archer, stated: "The UAE has consistently been one of the most forward-looking markets globally in advanced aviation, and the GCAA has been a strong and collaborative partner throughout this process. Advancing Midnight into this RTC program marks a significant step toward introducing electric air taxis to the UAE."
The RTC program provides Archer with an established pathway to commence limited commercial operations while ensuring Midnight is developed under a regulatory baseline that supports long-term commercial viability in the UAE.
This milestone builds upon years of technical collaboration between the GCAA and Archer, including multiple on-site inspections by experts at Archer's U.S. headquarters and flight test facilities, as well as flight tests conducted with Midnight within the UAE.
The program is supported by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) as part of its commitment to establishing Abu Dhabi as a global leader in the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster.
Eng. Aqeel Al Zarooni, Assistant Director General for Aviation Safety Affairs at the GCAA, stated: "The GCAA is committed to the safe integration of innovative aviation technologies into UAE airspace."
The cornerstone of this advanced regulatory phase is the initiation of the GCAA Design Organization Approval (DOA) and Production Organization Approval (POA). These designations signify a high level of confidence in Archer's engineering and safety management systems.
Through this program, Archer and the GCAA have made progress across eight critical workstreams required for commercial readiness, including aircraft certification, operations, maintenance, flight crew training, airspace, vertiports, security, and regulation.
Midnight is planned to be operated in Abu Dhabi by Abu Dhabi Aviation, Archer's local operating partner and one of the region's leading aviation enterprises.
Mahmood Al Hameli, CEO of Abu Dhabi Aviation Group, stated: "This milestone reflects Abu Dhabi Aviation's confidence in the UAE's aviation ecosystem and Abu Dhabi's ability to embrace practical innovation. It further reinforces our commitment to supporting the safe and responsible deployment of advanced air mobility systems, unlocking new opportunities for connectivity, operational efficiency, and sustainable economic growth across the emirate."
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