Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh
Riyadh, Dec 13: Saudi Arabia has taken a significant step towards transforming urban mobility by announcing plans to introduce air taxi services in its major cities, in partnership with US-based Archer Aviation. The initiative aims to build the regulatory framework, safety systems and operational infrastructure required to integrate next-generation air mobility into the Kingdom’s transport network.
The agreement was announced at the CoMotion global summit in Riyadh, where officials highlighted how advanced air mobility could reshape daily commuting. The move is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader aviation roadmap to develop advanced air mobility systems, reduce travel time, enhance connectivity and position its cities as global hubs for futuristic transport.
Under the memorandum of understanding, Saudi authorities and Archer Aviation will jointly work on upgrading regulations for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, aligning certification and safety standards with those of the US Federal Aviation Administration to ensure international compliance and high safety benchmarks.
The rollout will follow a phased approach, beginning with pilot operations. This will include a series of test flights across the Kingdom, proof-of-concept demonstrations, assessments of infrastructure such as landing sites and maintenance facilities, and public awareness initiatives to familiarise communities with air taxi services.
Capt. Suleiman Al-Muheimeed, Executive Vice President for Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability at the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), said the partnership would strengthen Saudi Arabia’s ability to safely integrate VTOL aircraft into its aviation ecosystem and reflects the Kingdom’s ambition to lead globally in next-generation urban transport.
Archer Aviation CEO Adam Goldstein praised Saudi Arabia’s vision, calling its approach bold and decisive. He said early pilot operations and alignment with FAA standards would help pave the way for safe and sustainable air travel for millions.
With regulatory groundwork and test operations underway, Saudi Arabia is steadily moving towards making air taxis a part of everyday urban life.