About
Al Bateen Executive Airport (AZI) Vertiport is the second foundational vertiport in Abu Dhabi's 10-vertiport advanced air mobility network announced 10–11 November 2025. Skyports Infrastructure is the construction partner.
AZI has dual significance: it is both an under-construction vertiport site and an active eVTOL flight-test airport. Archer Aviation's Midnight aircraft conducted its first piloted flight in Abu Dhabi from AZI on 2 July 2025, marking the start of a multi-month in-country flight test campaign culminating in Archer's 14 November 2025 announcement of the completion of full-envelope desert flight testing as part of the Launch Edition program.
The anticipated commercial eVTOL operating partner at AZI is Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA), under its Launch Edition agreement with Archer. The Archer Midnight is the operational platform.
Key facts
Timeline
- 2025-07-02Archer Midnight conducts first piloted flight in Abu Dhabi at Al Bateen Executive Airport (AZI). [archer-ir-2025-04-23]
- 2025-11-10Abu Dhabi 10-vertiport network announced. AZI named as one of two initial sites under construction. [adio-2025-11-10]
- 2025-11-14Archer announces completion of full-envelope desert flight testing in UAE as part of Launch Edition program. [archer-ir-2025-04-23]
Practical info
How to get there
By metro
No metro service. Abu Dhabi public buses and taxis serve the airport.
By car
Located inside Abu Dhabi city, accessible from the western corniche area.
From the airport
Approximately 150 km by road from Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Regulatory status
Operations fall under the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for airworthiness, with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) providing emirate-level oversight in Abu Dhabi. GCAA's air-taxi certification target is Q3 2026.
Current progress
As of 20 May 2026, AZI Vertiport is under construction. The original Q1 2026 completion projection has slipped. The site has been used for piloted eVTOL flight testing since 2 July 2025, with Archer completing its full-envelope desert flight test campaign in November 2025. Commercial operations are gated on GCAA aircraft type certification.
Connected entities
Aircraft
Frequently asked questions
When will Al Bateen Vertiport open?
Did Archer Midnight actually fly at Al Bateen?
Who is building Al Bateen Vertiport?
Who will operate from Al Bateen Vertiport?
Why is Al Bateen significant in the Abu Dhabi network?
Sources
- [adio-2025-11-10] Abu Dhabi 10-Vertiport Network Announcement — Integrated Transport Centre / ADIO / Abu Dhabi Airports / GCAA (10 Nov 2025) government · accessed 2026-05-20
- [archer-ir-2025-04-23] Archer Aviation IR — Archer Secures Design Approval For UAE's First Hybrid Heliport (23 Apr 2025) operator-ir · accessed 2026-05-20
- [gcaa-2025-11-03] GCAA UAE — Air-taxi certification target Q3 2026 (Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, 3 Nov 2025) regulatory · accessed 2026-05-20
Verification flags
- Original Q1 2026 completion projection has slipped without public announcement.
- Vertiport-specific GPS coordinates not published; coordinates above are AZI airport coordinates.
- Detailed facility specifications not published.
- Commercial-operations launch date gated on GCAA aircraft certification (Q3 2026 target).