The Helicopter Company (THC), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), has signed a strategic agreement with Archer Aviation Inc. and Red Sea Global (RSG) to introduce electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the Kingdom.
The partnership, announced at the 2025 Dubai Airshow, aims to establish a “sandbox” testing framework to support the integration of advanced air mobility systems into Saudi Arabia’s transport and tourism infrastructure.
The agreement marks one of the first steps toward deploying eVTOL technology in the country. The partners will collaborate on developing and testing Archer’s Midnight air taxi, focusing on its performance, regulatory alignment, passenger experience, and operational readiness under real-world conditions. The framework will involve close cooperation with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and other government entities to ensure compliance and safety as the technology evolves.
As part of the initiative, Red Sea Global will lead sandbox testing of the Midnight aircraft within its controlled airspace and sustainable developments, including The Red Sea and AMAALA destinations. These locations will serve as ideal test environments for evaluating how eVTOL aircraft can enhance connectivity, support regenerative tourism, and reduce the environmental footprint of local transport systems.
“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,” said Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC. “Our partnership demonstrates confidence in emerging technologies and a shared commitment to shaping a smarter, more connected tomorrow.”
John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global, said the collaboration aligns with RSG’s mission to redefine sustainable travel and mobility. “Partnering with THC and Archer to explore the integration of eVTOL aircraft into our destinations aligns perfectly with our vision for regenerative tourism, creating cleaner, faster, and more connected ways for guests to experience the beauty of Saudi Arabia.”
Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer Aviation, added: “A key part of Archer’s strategy is partnering with the leading operators in each country who share our goals and vision. Both THC and RSG are committed to ensuring that Saudi Arabia is operationally prepared to launch eVTOL aircraft. We look forward to demonstrating how Archer’s Midnight aircraft can transform travel within the Kingdom.”
Following the completion of the sandbox phase, the partners will evaluate results and explore large-scale eVTOL deployment across Saudi Arabia.
The initiative supports Vision 2030, reinforcing the Kingdom’s ambitions to advance sustainable innovation and position itself as a global leader in next-generation mobility.
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