Archer Aviation Appoints Cristiano Tartaglione COO for UAE Operations

Archer Aviation, a Silicon Valley-based aerospace company, has appointed retired Brigadier General Cristiano Tartaglione as Chief Operating Officer for its United Arab Emirates operations, marking a key step toward launching the region's first commercial electric air taxi network. Tartaglione, who brings over 30 years of aviation and leadership experience—including as Italy’s Defense Attaché to the UAE and a fighter pilot—will oversee operational readiness, regulatory compliance, team building, and infrastructure development. He is set to collaborate closely with the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and local partners to ensure the safe and timely deployment of Archer’s all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Midnight, which aims to drastically reduce commute times and offer a sustainable, cost-competitive alternative to ground transportation. The company recently received design approval to convert the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal helipad into a hybrid vertiport for eVTOLs and helicopters. While the appointment is expected to strengthen Archer’s local capabilities and regulatory alignment, the company still faces potential challenges in certification, commercialization, and navigating the UAE’s regulatory environment. Archer’s expansion aligns with the UAE’s broader goals for advanced and sustainable urban mobility solutions.