Air taxi services are set to arrive in Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom moves forward with plans to introduce modern urban air transport through a new partnership with US-based Archer Aviation, a leading company in vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
The agreement was signed at the CoMotion global summit held in Riyadh, where Saudi officials shared details on how advanced air mobility could change the way people travel in major cities across the country.
This step is part of a broader national effort to develop advanced air mobility systems in line with Saudi Arabia’s aviation strategy and long-term transport plans. The aim is to position the Kingdom’s cities as centers for future air travel while promoting sustainable mobility solutions.
Under the memorandum of understanding, Saudi authorities and Archer will work together to enhance and expand regulations related to VTOL aircraft. This will include bringing safety and certification standards in line with those of the US Federal Aviation Administration and supporting a gradual launch of air taxi operations.
The partnership will also cover test flights within Saudi Arabia, demonstration projects, infrastructure readiness assessments, and public awareness initiatives. These measures are intended to ensure that the service can be introduced safely and on a large scale.
Captain Suleiman Al-Muheimeed, Executive Vice President for Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability at GACA, said that working with global innovators such as Archer will help strengthen the regulatory and operational base needed to integrate VTOL aircraft into the national aviation system.
He added that the project supports the advanced air mobility roadmap and reflects Saudi Arabia’s goal of becoming a leader in this field.
Archer founder and CEO Adam Goldstein said Saudi Arabia is moving quickly and decisively to build a next-generation mobility ecosystem. “We are honored that GACA selected Archer for this transformative effort,” he said, noting that cooperation on certification with the FAA and early pilot operations in the Kingdom will help lay the groundwork for safe and sustainable air travel for millions of people.