Archer Launches Partnership with Helicopter Operator

The Helicopter Company (THC) plans to operate Archer Aviation’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft for air taxi services in Saudi Arabia. The companies announced the partnership, which also includes real estate group Red Sea Global, at the Dubai Airshow on Tuesday.

Rotorcraft operator THC is not committed to buying a specified number of the four-passenger Midnight model. For now, the companies will jointly develop and test plans for operating the aircraft for flights to Red Sea Global tourist properties, including The Red Sea and AMAALA.

According to Archer, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation is supporting the creation of a controlled “sandbox” location in which operational trials can be conducted. After the initial collaboration is complete, the partners said they will review the results and consider options for possible large-scale eVTOL air services.

THC has been operating commercial helicopter flights since 2019 and now has a fleet of more than 60 aircraft conducting missions including emergency medical support, aerial work, and private charters. In March, the group, which also includes Rotortrade, said that developing an advanced air mobility business model is a strategic priority.

Last week, GACA confirmed that it will accept the FAA’s type certification standards for the eVTOL aircraft being developed by Archer’s competitor, Joby Aviation. That company already has a partnership with Saudi group Abdul Latif Jameel, which has agreed to buy up to 200 aircraft and act as Joby’s distributor.

In 2024, flag carrier Saudia signed a deal to buy up to 100 of Lilium’s six-passenger eVTOL aircraft, but the German company subsequently went out of business. Eve Air Mobility also initiated a partnership in Saudi Arabia last year.

Archer displayed a mockup of the Midnight aircraft at the Dubai Airshow. Along with Joby, it is also working on plans for eVTOL air taxi services in the UAE.