Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation Advances Archer’s Pathway for Electric Air Taxi Deployment
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evtoltechnical
eVTOL stands for "electric vertical takeoff and landing" aircraft, which are small, electric-powered vehicles capable of taking off and landing vertically like a helicopter. They are designed to provide quick, on-demand transportation within cities or between locations, potentially transforming urban mobility. For investors, eVTOLs represent a growing segment of innovative transportation technology with potential for significant market impact and future growth.
eVTOL Implementation Pilot Program (eIPP)regulatory
A eVTOL implementation pilot program (EIPP) is a limited, structured trial run set up by regulators and local authorities to test electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft in real-world conditions, including safety procedures, airspace rules, noise, and ground infrastructure. For investors, an EIPP is like a product soft-launch: it reveals practical challenges, timelines and costs for commercial service and reduces uncertainty about when and how revenue can start.
advanced air mobilitytechnical
Advanced air mobility involves the development and use of new types of aircraft, such as electric or hybrid vehicles, to transport people and goods through the air more efficiently and safely. It aims to improve urban transportation, reduce traffic congestion, and open up new markets for aerial services. For investors, it represents a growing industry with potential for technological innovation and future economic impact.
type certificationregulatory
Type certification is an official approval from a regulatory authority that a specific design of an aircraft, engine, or other regulated product meets required safety and performance standards. For investors, it is like a government-issued building permit: without it the product cannot be sold or put into commercial use, while earning it reduces regulatory risk, unlocks revenue potential, and increases the value and credibility of the manufacturer.
aam roadmapregulatory
An AAM roadmap is a strategic timeline and set of milestones for developing Advanced Air Mobility — low‑altitude passenger and cargo services using electric vertical‑takeoff vehicles, air taxis and delivery drones — covering testing, certification, infrastructure and operational roll‑out. For investors it lays out the regulatory hurdles, technology gates and market assumptions that determine when and how revenue might materialize, acting like a construction schedule and permit list for a new transit network.
national transport and logistics strategy (ntls)regulatory
A national transport and logistics strategy (NTLS) is a government blueprint that sets goals, rules and investment plans for roads, rail, ports, airports and freight systems to move people and goods efficiently. Investors watch it like a roadmap: it signals where public money, permits and regulatory support will flow, shaping opportunities and risks for construction, shipping, warehousing and companies that rely on supply chains.
Saudi Arabia’s national aviation regulator, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) signed an agreement with Archer to create a regulatory pathway for eVTOL deployment in the Kingdom.
GACA plans to model its regulatory pathway on the Federal Aviation Administration’s and Department of Transportation’s eVTOL Implementation Pilot Program (eIPP) in order to establish early operations in cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah, as well as gigaprojects such as Red Sea Global, in line with Saudi’s Vision 2030.
GACA plans to work with Archer to conduct proof-of-concept demonstrations and operational experimental flights as part of the regulatory pathway towards type certification, develop the operating ecosystem and to build public acceptance.
This announcement follows Archer’s recent partnership with the Public Investment Fund’s The Helicopter Company to launch eVTOL services with Red Sea Global.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), today announced the signing of an agreement with Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) under which the parties will collaborate to accelerate the deployment of electric air taxis across the Kingdom.
Archer's Midnight Aircraft
Under this collaboration, GACA and Archer plan to work to establish a regulatory pathway for the introduction and scale-up of eVTOL air taxi operations in the Kingdom. This framework is planned to align with the FAA’s certification ruleset, ensuring global interoperability, safety and operational consistency. GACA is also planning to model its regulatory pathway around the eVTOL Implementation Pilot Program (eIPP) in the U.S. This approach will seek to enable early route testing and service introduction in Riyadh, Jeddah and key gigaprojects such as Red Sea Global.
The agreement forms part of GACA’s ongoing efforts to accelerate the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem in line with the AAM Roadmap and the objectives of the aviation program under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS), representing another step in the Kingdom’s broader program to develop next-generation air transport solutions.
GACA and Archer also plan to undertake a series of proof-of-concept demonstrations and experimental flights to validate regulatory approaches, support infrastructure development, and strengthen public excitement for electric air taxi services.
Captain Sulaiman bin Saleh Al-Muhaimedi, Executive Vice President for Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability at GACA, stated: “This MoU is an important step in advancing the Kingdom’s vision for Advanced Air Mobility. By working with global partners such as Archer, we continue to strengthen the regulatory and operational foundations needed to safely integrate eVTOL aircraft into our aviation system. The initiative supports the AAM Roadmap and reinforces the Kingdom’s position as a regional leader in next-generation air transport.”
“Saudi Arabia is moving with impressive speed and clarity, and we are honored that GACA has chosen to collaborate with Archer in this effort,” said Adam Goldstein, Archer founder and CEO. “Aligning this certification work with the FAA and launching early demonstration operations in the Kingdom will help us bring this program to life safely and quickly. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with GACA to make the Kingdom one of the world’s first markets to embrace eVTOL aircraft at scale.”
About the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) and Saudi Aviation Program:
The General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) is the national civil aviation regulator for Saudi Arabia. GACA is responsible for delivering world-leading regulatory services that enhance competition, safety, security and sustainability in civil aviation globally. GACA enables Saudi Arabia to lead the world through aviation, providing world-class regulations, ensuring compliance and performance, ensuring competition and growth and protecting passengers.
GACA coordinates the implementation of the Saudi Aviation Program. The Program is transforming the entire Saudi aviation ecosystem to become the number one aviation sector in the Middle East, enabled by Vision 2030 and in line with the Kingdom’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy. The Program is unlocking US$100 billion in private and government investment across the Kingdom’s airports, airlines, and aviation support services. The Program will extend Saudi Arabia’s connectivity to 250 destinations, triple annual passenger traffic, establish two global long-haul connecting hubs, and increase air cargo capacity.
About Archer
Archer is designing and developing the key enabling technologies and aircraft necessary to power the future of aviation. To learn more, visit www.archer.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Archer Aviation’s future business plans, expectations, and opportunities. These statements include those regarding its design and target specifications of its aircraft, the pace of design, development, certification, testing, manufacturing and commercialization of its planned eVTOL aircraft, or its ability to do so at all; air taxi network buildout; plans relating to infrastructure and operations in Saudi Arabia; anticipated government incentives; and plans and anticipated benefits of collaborations with third parties. In addition, this press release refers to agreements that remain conditional, subject to the future execution of definitive agreements and the satisfaction of certain conditions. Such agreements may not be completed or may contain different terms than those currently contemplated. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors. The risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed in Archer’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, available at www.sec.gov. In addition, please note that any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that Archer believes to be reasonable as of the date of this press release. Archer undertakes no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events.
