• Saudi Arabia has launched a structured “sandbox framework” to test Archer’s Midnight eVTOL under real-world regulatory conditions, marking one of the Gulf’s first formal AAM evaluation programmes.
• The partnership between THC, Archer Aviation and Red Sea Global positions the Kingdom as an early adopter of sustainable air mobility aligned with Vision 2030.
• GACA’s involvement in the sandbox model enables real-time regulatory oversight of eVTOL operations, infrastructure readiness and passenger acceptance.
• Archer’s collaboration with national stakeholders strengthens its Middle East expansion as eVTOL aircraft move closer to commercial certification.
• Successful trials could pave the way for large-scale deployment of eVTOL services across Saudi Arabia’s key tourism and mobility corridors.

Saudi Arabia has taken a significant step toward integrating electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into its national transport and tourism ecosystem, announcing a trilateral partnership between The Helicopter Company (THC), Archer Aviation and Red Sea Global (RSG). Signed during the Dubai Airshow 2025, the agreement establishes a structured “sandbox framework” in which Archer’s Midnight eVTOL will undergo testing under real-world conditions with direct regulatory involvement from the Kingdom’s aviation authorities.

The move reflects Saudi Arabia’s accelerating efforts to embed advanced air mobility (AAM) into its economic diversification and sustainability agenda, particularly under the Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) growing portfolio of aviation, infrastructure and tourism projects. With global AAM markets advancing rapidly—major nations preparing for regulatory frameworks, commercialisation pilots and certification trials—the Kingdom’s controlled test environment positions it as one of the first jurisdictions in the Middle East to formalise interoperable regulatory, industrial and operational structures for eVTOL deployment.

A Strategic Partnership Anchored in National Mobility Policy

The agreement brings together three entities central to Saudi Arabia’s emerging aviation strategy. THC, a PIF-owned operator, has rapidly expanded since its establishment in 2019, now managing roughly 60 aircraft across Emergency Medical Services, private charters, aerial work and tourism. RSG, also a PIF company, oversees major regenerative tourism destinations including The Red Sea and AMAALA—both designated as flagship developments under Vision 2030. Archer Aviation, the California-based developer behind the Midnight aircraft, is one of the world’s most closely watched eVTOL manufacturers.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC, John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global, and Adam Goldstein, Founder and CEO of Archer Aviation. The collaboration seeks to evaluate the potential future integration of Midnight into commercial mobility operations across RSG-managed destinations.

Captain Martinez underscored the strategic intent behind the agreement. “eVTOL is emerging as the future of urban passenger transportation, and with the right partners, we are glad to be a key part of ensuring that Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of this transformation in aviation,” he said. He emphasised that the partnership reflects “confidence in emerging technologies” and a commitment to creating connected transport solutions aligned with national development goals.

A Controlled Testbed for Next-Generation Air Mobility

Under the initial phase, Archer, THC and RSG will develop a structured “sandbox environment” enabling the aircraft to be tested under operational conditions. The framework includes oversight by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), which will work collaboratively with the partners to monitor safety performance, regulatory compliance, passenger acceptance and operational feasibility.

RSG’s role will be central in executing these trials. Its controlled airspace, sustainability infrastructure and remote geographic settings provide a suitable testing environment for assessing how electric aircraft can integrate with high-value tourism destinations. John Pagano, RSG’s Group CEO, framed the project as consistent with the company’s environmental and mobility philosophy. “At Red Sea Global, we are committed to redefining sustainable travel and setting new standards for innovation within the Kingdom’s tourism and mobility sectors,” he said. Partnering with THC and Archer “aligns perfectly with our vision for regenerative tourism.”

The tests are expected to inform broader regulatory frameworks, including airspace integration, charging infrastructure, ground-to-air connectivity requirements and passenger-handling processes. Such frameworks are essential as nations prepare for the commercial adoption of eVTOL operations over the next decade. Global aviation regulators—including the FAA, EASA and Asia’s leading civil aviation authorities—are currently formalising certification standards for eVTOL aircraft, many scheduled for initial approvals by 2025–2026.

Archer’s Middle East Expansion Strategy

For Archer, the partnership builds on the company’s growing international presence. Midnight, a piloted aircraft capable of carrying four passengers, is designed for short-distance, high-frequency trips with minimal charging time between flights. It is positioned to convert 60–90 minute surface journeys into 10–20 minute air taxi services. While Archer continues its certification efforts in the United States, international collaborations such as this allow the company to test operational concepts in diverse regulatory and geographic contexts.

Goldstein framed the agreement as consistent with Archer’s approach to market entry. “A key part of Archer’s strategy is partnering with the leading operators in each country who share our goals and vision,” he said. THC and RSG, he added, are “committed to ensuring that Saudi Arabia is operationally prepared to launch eVTOL aircraft,” and Midnight offers a model capable of reshaping travel within the Kingdom’s destinations.

A Policy Milestone for AAM in the Gulf

The sandbox framework represents one of the Gulf region’s first attempts to embed eVTOL trials into a formal regulatory structure. For Saudi Arabia, the initiative aligns closely with Vision 2030 objectives, including the diversification of mobility solutions, the development of sustainable tourism, and the establishment of new technology-driven industries.

The controlled testing model enables regulators to observe aircraft operations, evaluate integration requirements, and shape future policy in real time. It also reduces adoption risks by enabling phased implementation before large-scale deployment decisions are made. Once the programme concludes, all parties will review the findings to determine next steps and evaluate the viability of introducing eVTOL services at scale across the Kingdom.

Positioning Saudi Arabia for a New Phase of Sustainable Air Mobility

As global investment in advanced air mobility accelerates, partnerships that link technology developers with national operators and regulatory structures are becoming a defining feature of early market deployment. Saudi Arabia’s initiative with Archer and RSG marks a notable regional milestone—demonstrating how eVTOL aircraft can align with national sustainability, tourism and mobility objectives while also helping shape the regulatory frameworks required to support their safe introduction.

If successful, the project could position the Kingdom as one of the first countries to operationalise eVTOL services within controlled tourism environments, potentially setting a precedent for future AAM adoption in the Gulf and beyond.