The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has authorised the design for the country’s first hybrid heliport at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, Zayed Port. This strategic decision marks the start of a new chapter in the UAE’s urban air mobility journey. The terminal, a thriving hub that receives over 650,000 cruise tourists each year, was chosen for its prominent location and strong visibility.
This project was created through a collaboration between AD Ports Group, Falcon Aviation Services, and Archer Aviation. The heliport is intended to accommodate both conventional helicopters and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft like Archer’s Midnight. It will play an important role in connecting different regions of the city with sustainable and efficient air transport.
The facility is also part of a larger infrastructure build for Archer’s planned air taxi services in Abu Dhabi, which are set to begin commercial operations in 2026. The GCAA emphasised that the hybrid heliport will serve as a launchpad for these services.
The GCAA is also driving global efforts to define regulatory standards for hybrid heliport infrastructure, with a complete framework expected to be published by July 2025.
