Saudi Arabia has taken a major step towards deploying electric air taxis, after the kingdom’s state-owned Helicopter Company (THC) signed a partnership with US-based Archer Aviation and Red Sea Global (RSG) to test electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft under real-world conditions.
The agreement, signed at the Dubai Airshow, will see Archer’s Midnight air taxi undergo trials in newly established “biometric corridors” at Red Sea Global’s controlled airspace, forming one of the first large-scale eVTOL deployments in the kingdom.
The initiative is part of a government-backed effort to position Saudi Arabia as a leading testbed for next-generation aviation technologies, supporting its broader Vision 2030 economic diversification plans.
‘Sandbox’ testing to accelerate regulation
The three-way partnership between THC, Archer and RSG will create a sandbox framework to test autonomous and electric air vehicles while regulators closely monitor performance, safety and public acceptance.
The controlled environment will allow Archer’s Midnight aircraft to operate under supervision from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), assessing issues such as operational feasibility, airspace integration and passenger experience.
THC chief executive Captain Arnaud Martinez said the move would help ensure Saudi Arabia remained at the forefront of new mobility technologies.
“eVTOL is emerging as the future of urban passenger transportation,” he said. “Our partnership demonstrates confidence in emerging technologies and a shared commitment to shaping a smarter, more connected tomorrow.”
Red Sea Global to explore future operations
RSG, the Public Investment Fund-backed developer behind the Red Sea and AMAALA tourism projects, will use the trial to determine whether electric air taxis can be integrated into its future transport networks.
The developer’s destinations offer controlled airspace and new green infrastructure, allowing tests of how eVTOLs might support eco-friendly travel options for visitors.
RSG chief executive John Pagano said the partnership aligned with its goals for “regenerative tourism”.
“We aim to create cleaner, faster and more connected ways for guests to experience the beauty of Saudi Arabia.”
Archer’s growing presence in the Gulf
Archer Aviation has been expanding its footprint in the Middle East as countries in the region explore emerging air mobility options. Its chief executive Adam Goldstein said the partnership with Saudi Arabia marked an important milestone.
“Both THC and RSG are committed to ensuring Saudi Arabia is operationally prepared to launch eVTOL aircraft,” he said.
“We look forward to demonstrating how Midnight can transform travel within the kingdom.”
Following the conclusion of the testing phase, all parties will assess the results and consider whether to move ahead with large-scale deployment of eVTOL services.
If adopted, the technology could help Saudi Arabia develop cleaner and faster connections between its major tourism, industrial and urban centres.
The agreement represents one of the most significant steps yet taken in the region to introduce electric air taxis, underlining the kingdom’s ambition to become a global leader in advanced air mobility.