Dubai: The Helicopter Company (THC), a Public Investment Fund company and Saudi Arabia's premier commercial helicopter operator, has signed an agreement at this year's Dubai Airshow with Archer Aviation Inc., a US-based aerospace innovator, and Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind The Red Sea and AMAALA destinations.
According to Emirates News Agency, the partnership will focus on the development, testing, and potential integration of Archer's eVTOL aircraft into RSG's operations, marking one of the first deployments of eVTOL aircraft in Saudi Arabia. The signing signifies a significant advancement in the Kingdom's efforts to explore and integrate electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft into its emerging mobility ecosystem.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC, John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global, and Nikhil Goel, CCO of Archer. In the initial phase, Archer Aviation will collaborate with THC and RSG to build the foundational framework for their planned eVTOL operations in Saudi Arabia. This includes creating a structured sandbox environment to conduct test flights with Archer's Midnight eVTOL under real-world conditions.
The partnership's objectives include assessing aircraft performance, operational feasibility, regulatory alignment, and overall ecosystem readiness. They will also work on testing advanced aerial technologies, exploring long-term strategic partnerships for large-scale deployment, and supporting regional innovation to advance next-generation aviation systems.
RSG will lead the sandbox testing with Archer's Midnight aircraft to evaluate the potential for integrating eVTOL aircraft into future operations. RSG's controlled airspace and sustainable infrastructure offer a suitable platform to demonstrate the potential of advanced air mobility, supporting regenerative tourism and next-generation transportation options for Saudi Arabia.
Captain Arnaud Martinez expressed confidence in the collaboration, emphasizing the importance of being at the forefront of aviation transformation. John Pagano stated that the partnership aligns with RSG's vision for regenerative tourism, while Archer Aviation's CEO, Adam Goldstein, highlighted the collaboration as a strategic move to transform travel within the Kingdom.
Upon completion of the sandbox programme, the parties will review the results to consider further initiatives for the large-scale introduction of eVTOL services.