Dubai-Abu Dhabi air taxi route going live next year: Abu Dhabi-headquartered aviation services provider Falcon Aviation inked an agreement with California-based electric flying car manufacturer Archer Aviation to develop a “vertiport” network in key locations across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, according to a press release. The agreement looks to launch Falcon’s air taxi services between the two emirates by 2025.

The details: The partnership will see the two firms develop the infrastructure for two vertiports — one at Falcon Heliport at Atlantis, the Palm in Dubai, and the other at the Marina Mall heliport in Abu Dhabi’s Corniche. Once operational, the service will allow Dubai and Abu Dhabi residents to fly between the two emirates in 30 minutes aboard Archer’s piloted, four-passenger aircraft, Midnight. The air route is expected to cut the two-hour commute between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, “one of the world’s most prominent and congested commute corridors,” the statement reads.

ICYMI: The General Civil Aviation Authority announced late last year a plan to launch air taxis by 1Q 2026. The project is a collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and Archer Aviation following a partnership agreement inked in October.

Other air taxis will also take off in 2025: Dubai's Road and Transport Authority inked an agreement last month with electric aircraft developer Joby Aviation to launch air taxi services in the UAE by early 2026. The manufacturer, which was also handed the rights to operate in the emirate for six years, plans to begin initial operations as early as 2025.

IN OTHER TRANSPORT NEWS-

Enoc to fuel Dubai Taxi’s fleet: Emirates National Oil Company signed a partnership agreement with Dubai Taxi to provide Dubai Taxi’s 7.8k vehicle fleet with refueling services, according to a statement. The agreement is set to cover Dubai Taxi’s entire fleet across all its service segments, including taxis, airport taxis, limousines, and delivery bikes.