Advanced air mobility developer Archer Aviation has received approval to convert the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal helipad into a hybrid heliport for helicopters and eVTOL aircraft.
On April 23, 2025, Archer announced in a statement that the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Agency (GCAA) has approved the project design. The company said it is collaborating with Falcon Aviation and with the GCAA to develop the helipad.
Once complete, this site will be the first in the UAE ready for eVTOL aircraft and will offer direct access to Abu Dhabi Port, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, and the Corniche.
Archer stated that the GCAA has become the first civil aviation authority in the world to create regulatory standards for hybrid infrastructure. After consulting with the industry, these proposed standards are being finalized and are expected to be published by July 2025.
Furthermore, Archer and its partners plan to add charging infrastructure and upgrade landing and safety systems to enable use by eVTOL aircraft, the statement continued.
“Leveraging existing aviation assets is a cornerstone of our launch strategy. It allows us to move both quickly and safely – getting critical infrastructure ready ahead of our planned commercial launch,” said Adam Goldstein, CEO and co-founder of Archer.
By upgrading an existing facility, Archer said it can “capitalize on airspace regulations zoning and structures that are already in place,” without incurring the cost and time it would take to build a bespoke vertiport.
The company said it chose this location at the cruise terminal because it attracts more than 650,000 visitors annually.
Additionally, this location serves as a gateway to some well-known spots in the capital, like Abu Dhabi Port, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the upcoming Saadiyat Cultural District, and the Corniche.
