The General Civil Aviation Authority of the EAU (GCAA) has granted design acceptance for the country’s first hybrid helipad in the ABU Dhabi cruise terminal in the port of Zayed, marking significant development in the ABU Dhabi Air Taxis project.
The installation, developed through the collaboration between the Group of AD ports, the Aviation Services Falcon and Archer Aviation, will accommodate the traditional helicopters and the electricity aircraft and landing planes (Evtol) as the Midnight model of Archer.
“This milestone is not just about infrastructure-it reflects the uae’s unwavering commitment to innovation and global leadership in advanced air mobility. Through ort our close collaboration with archer, ad ports Group, and Falcon Landscape Reports A New was for Civil Aviation, Driven by Partnership and Vision, ”Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general of the GCAA said in a statement.
EAU PAPPROTS HYBRIDO
This hybrid helipad is part of the Archer infrastructure network in the EAU, with commercial operations planned in association with ABU Dhabi Aviation (ADA).
“Taking advantage of existing aviation assets is an cornerstone of our launch strategy. It allows us to move quickly and safely: to obtain a critical infrastructure ready before our planned commercial taxi launch. This achievement has only been possible through strong associations with the GCAA group, AD Port and Falcon Aviation Services,” added Adam Goldstein, CEO and CEO and co -founder of Archer.
The location in Zayed Port was selected by its state as a regional cruise center that hosts more than 650,000 visitors annually and provides access to cultural destinations, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
GCAA has positioned itself as the first civil aviation authority worldwide to develop regulatory standards for hybrid infrastructure.
These standards, designed to support the interoperable operation of helicopters and evtols of a single platform, are expected to be published in July 2025.
The Hybrid Helipport will serve as a key launch point for the ABU Dhabi air taxi service, which is scheduled to start operations by 2026, connecting key locations throughout the city.
“This helipad has long served as an entrance door for visitors to explore Abu Dhabi from the sky, and its transformation into a hybrid helipad marks an exciting new chapter,” added Captain Ramandep Oberi, CEO of the Falcon Aviation Service.
