Abu Dhabi is set to witness a major milestone in advanced air mobility as Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi announced plans to launch the UAE’s first hospital-based vertiport. The initiative, revealed on Wednesday, October 8, is in partnership with Archer Aviation Inc., which will convert its existing helipad to support both traditional helicopters and eVTOL aircraft operations.
The vertiport is expected to revolutionize patient transport by enabling air taxi flights that can connect the hospital to nearby locations within minutes. This facility will support both non-emergency passenger travel and critical organ transport, drastically reducing travel times compared to traditional ground transportation.
Archer’s electric aircraft, Midnight, will be deployed for these flights. Designed to carry up to four passengers, Midnight produces significantly less noise and emissions than conventional helicopters. The aircraft’s cabin configuration will accommodate both passenger and medical transport purposes, highlighting the dual functionality of the service.
“This project is about connecting not just places, but pillars of life in Abu Dhabi,” said Bryan Bernhard, Archer’s Chief Growth and Infrastructure Officer. He added that the vertiport expands the company’s planned network following the hybrid vertiport approval at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal earlier this year.
Abu Dhabi’s Cruise Terminal recently conducted a successful test flight in June, marking a significant step in the UAE’s adoption of eVTOL technology. The test used EHang’s EH216-S, the world’s first certified, pilotless, two-seater eVTOL aircraft, which features eight arms with 16 propellers powered by 32 independent electric motors.
Flying taxi operations by Archer are expected to begin by the end of this year. To ensure readiness, Archer is collaborating with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) to operate Midnight within the UAE, aiming for a passenger flight in Abu Dhabi later this year. Both organizations will also partner on pilot training, flight operations, and community engagement.
Midnight is engineered for rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charging time. The aircraft can reduce journeys that normally take 60-90 minutes by car to just 10-30 minutes, creating a faster, more efficient alternative for inter-emirate travel.
With this launch, the UAE will join global cities adopting eVTOL technology for both urban mobility and healthcare applications. The hospital-based vertiport demonstrates the country’s commitment to pioneering innovations that combine technology, sustainability, and practical healthcare solutions for its residents.
This initiative signals a new era of air mobility in Abu Dhabi, where advanced aircraft will not only connect cities but also serve critical health and emergency needs, setting the stage for a broader UAE-wide network of vertiports in the near future.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members