Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, in partnership with Archer Aviation, has announced plans to establish the UAE’s first hospital-based vertiport, giving patients and visitors direct access to advanced electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft services.
The vertiport will enable rapid travel between the hospital and nearby locations, cutting journey times from hours to minutes compared with traditional road transport.
The collaboration will explore non-emergency passenger services and time-critical organ transport, utilising Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft, which can carry up to four passengers while generating less noise and emissions than a conventional helicopter.
Hospital vertiport in Abu Dhabi
Archer will assist Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in upgrading its existing helipad to handle both traditional helicopter and eVTOL operations — an important step toward the company’s planned commercial launch in the city.
Bryan Bernhard, Chief Growth and Infrastructure Officer at Archer, said: “This partnership showcases the breadth of Archer’s network vision — connecting not just places, but pillars of life in Abu Dhabi.
“Following our first hybrid vertiport approval at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal earlier this year, this next location demonstrates how Archer and the GCAA are working together to unlock a city-wide ecosystem for advanced air mobility.”
Dr. Georges-Pascal Haber, CEO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said: “We are excited about the partnership with Archer to advance access to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s patient-centred care.
“This new mode of emission-free transport aligns with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s commitment to sustainability, gives additional options to many patients travelling to our hospital for care, and provides our thriving organ transplant program with fast logistics.”
Abu Dhabi advanced air mobility network
Archer’s UAE network builds on the General Civil Aviation Authority’s (GCAA) framework for hybrid vertiports, allowing conventional helicopters and eVTOLs to share infrastructure.
The company plans to convert helipads across the emirate into certified vertiports as part of a broader collaboration with local institutions to advance the emirate’s strategic vision for air mobility and innovation.
