The UAE is set to introduce its first hospital-based vertiport, paving the way for air taxis to take off and land directly from a medical facility — ensuring that patients can receive critical healthcare services within minutes.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, October 8, by the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in collaboration with Archer Aviation Inc. The project involves converting the hospital’s existing helipad into a dual-purpose platform capable of supporting both traditional helicopter and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft operations.
The vertiport will allow passengers and medical teams to travel between the hospital and nearby destinations in just minutes, significantly reducing travel times compared to road transport. The service will cater to both urgent medical operations, such as organ transport, and non-emergency passenger transfers.
Archer’s cutting-edge electric aircraft, Midnight, will be used for these operations. Designed to carry up to four passengers, the Midnight offers a quieter and more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional helicopters. Its cabin layout will support both medical and passenger transport missions.
Once operational, Archer will become the first company in the UAE to launch flying taxi services.
The hospital vertiport marks an expansion of Archer’s growing network, following the approval of a hybrid vertiport at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal earlier this year. According to Bryan Bernhard, Archer’s Chief Growth and Infrastructure Officer, the initiative represents “a step toward connecting not just destinations, but essential services that support life in Abu Dhabi.”
“Following our first hybrid vertiport approval at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, this new location highlights how Archer and the GCAA are jointly building a city-wide ecosystem for advanced air mobility,” Bernhard said.
In June, Abu Dhabi successfully conducted its first eVTOL test flight at the Cruise Terminal helipad. The EHang EH216-S, a pilotless two-seater eVTOL aircraft, completed a demonstration flight over the Abu Dhabi Marina. The model, recognized as the world’s first certified autonomous eVTOL, features eight arms with 16 propellers powered by 32 electric motors, ensuring redundancy and safety.
According to an earlier Khaleej Times report, Archer’s flying taxis are expected to begin commercial operations in the UAE by the end of 2025.
To support the rollout, Archer has partnered with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) to conduct test flights of the Midnight aircraft in the coming months. The collaboration also includes pilot training, flight operations, and public engagement initiatives.
The Midnight aircraft, which is piloted and designed for four passengers, can perform rapid, back-to-back flights with minimal charging time. It aims to cut commute times from 60–90 minutes by car to just 10–30 minutes between various emirates.