Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) stock jumped more than 6% on Thursday after the company secured design approval for the UAE’s first hybrid heliport, advancing plans for commercial air taxi services in Abu Dhabi.
The General Civil Aviation Agency (GCAA) approved the design for transforming an Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal helipad into a hybrid heliport that will support traditional helicopter and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft operations.
Archer is working alongside its infrastructure partner, Falcon Aviation, in close collaboration with the GCAA to transform the helipad. Once completed, the site will be the region’s first hybrid heliport for commercial air taxi operations. It is also part of Archer’s broader infrastructure network in the UAE, with early operations set to begin in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA).
The GCAA is the first civil aviation authority worldwide to develop regulatory standards for hybrid infrastructure, aimed at supporting safe and efficient operations of both helicopters and eVTOLs from a single platform. Following industry consultation, these proposed standards are set to be finalized and published by July 2025, marking a significant milestone for integrating advanced air mobility into existing aviation ecosystems.
As part of the transformation, Archer and its partners will add charging infrastructure and upgrade landing and safety systems to accommodate eVTOL aircraft. By retrofitting an existing facility, Archer can take advantage of the existing airspace regulations, zoning, and structures, avoiding the time and cost required to build a new vertiport from the ground up.
The selected site at the cruise terminal is strategically located in a thriving tourism area, welcoming more than 650,000 visitors annually. It provides convenient access to key cultural and leisure destinations in the city, such as the Abu Dhabi Port, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the future Saadiyat Cultural District, and the Corniche.
Air Synapsis, a Dubai-based company specializing in heliport and vertiport design, offered support for the apron and airspace design work for the hybrid heliport development.
As of the latest update, Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) stock is up 1.29%, trading at $8.67.
Salman Akhtar is a finance, stocks, and technology journalist with years of experience across various news organizations. He has contributed his expertise to outlets such as 24NewsHD, TrimFeed, The Voice Pakistan, and TheTechBasic. Salman is passionate about making complex topics accessible to a broad audience. His dedication to delivering accurate and timely information has established him as a trusted voice in the industry. Read Full Bio
