Archer Aviation's Midnight Aircraft Advances Towards Commercial Service with Key FAA Certification

SAN JOSE, CA – Archer Aviation, a leading developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, is set to highlight its progress in urban air mobility and defense at the RE:INVENT Summit. Company Founder and CEO Adam Goldstein, alongside renowned author Ashlee Vance, will participate in a fireside chat this Thursday at 1:30 PM ET, focusing on defense, manufacturing, and other strategic areas. The event underscores Archer's rapid advancements in bringing its vision of electric air travel to fruition.

Archer Aviation, publicly traded as ACHR, was established in 2018 with the goal of transforming urban transportation. Its flagship aircraft, "Midnight," is designed as a piloted, four-passenger air taxi optimized for frequent, short-distance trips of 20-50 miles at speeds up to 150 mph. The aircraft aims to offer a sustainable, low-noise alternative to ground transport, being "100x quieter than a helicopter at cruising altitudes—nearly inaudible from the streets below."

The company has achieved significant regulatory and commercial milestones. On June 5, 2024, Archer received its Part 135 Air Carrier and Operator Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), enabling it to operate commercial airlines. This followed the FAA's issuance of final airworthiness criteria for the Midnight aircraft on May 23, 2024. These certifications are critical steps toward launching commercial air taxi services, with initial plans for networks in Los Angeles and Chicago.

Strategic partnerships are central to Archer's scaling efforts. United Airlines has placed an order for 200 aircraft, and Stellantis, a multinational automobile manufacturer, is collaborating with Archer on mass production, with an aim to produce up to 650 Midnight aircraft annually. This partnership includes an equity investment of up to $150 million from Stellantis. Archer is also nearing completion of its high-volume manufacturing facility in Covington, Georgia, which will support these production targets.

Beyond commercial applications, Archer is increasingly engaging with the defense sector. In August 2024, the company delivered its first Midnight aircraft to the United States Air Force. This was followed by a strategic partnership announcement in December 2024 with Anduril to develop hybrid VTOL military aircraft, signaling Archer's growing role in national defense. The upcoming discussion at the RE:INVENT Summit with Ashlee Vance, known for his insights into technological disruption, is expected to delve into these diverse applications and the future trajectory of Archer Aviation.