Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Air taxis are coming to Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom takes a major step toward launching next-generation urban mobility through a new partnership with U.S. company Archer Aviation, a global leader in vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
The agreement was signed during the CoMotion global summit in Riyadh, where Saudi officials outlined how advanced air mobility will reshape travel in the Kingdom’s major cities.
The move is part of a wider national plan to develop advanced air mobility (AAM) systems, aligned with the Kingdom’s aviation strategy and roadmap for next-generation transportation. The goal: turn Saudi cities into hubs for future air travel and sustainable mobility.
Under the memorandum of understanding, Saudi Arabia and Archer will work together to upgrade and expand the regulatory framework for VTOL aircraft.
This includes aligning safety and certification standards with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and supporting a phased rollout of air taxi services.
The partnership also includes:
– A series of test flights in Saudi Arabia
– Proof-of-concept demonstrations
– Assessments to prepare infrastructure
– Public readiness and awareness efforts
All designed to ensure the service can be safely introduced at scale.
Capt. Suleiman Al-Muheimeed, GACA’s Executive Vice President for Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability, said partnering with global innovators like Archer strengthens the regulatory and operational foundations needed to integrate VTOL aircraft into the national aviation network.
He said the initiative supports the AAM roadmap and reinforces Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a leader in advanced air mobility.
Archer founder and CEO Adam Goldstein said Saudi Arabia is acting with speed and clarity to build a next-generation mobility ecosystem.
“We are honored that GACA selected Archer for this transformative effort,” he said, adding that aligning certification work with the FAA and launching early pilot operations in the Kingdom will help pave the way for safe, sustainable air travel for millions of people.
