Archer and Signature to set up takeoff and landing hubs for electric aircraft

Electric air taxi developer Archer and Signature Aviation, which owns 200 private terminals worldwide, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The goal is to set up take-off and landing sites for Archer's eVTOL.

Together, the companies want to establish Archer’s air taxi service in major US metropolitan areas, starting with “United Airlines hubs at Newark International (EWR) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) Airports.” Other areas include Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Texas.

The first locations should be up and running in 2025. They will feature Beta technology, as Archer and Beta signed a partnership at the end of last year to set up a charging network that follows the standards outlined by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). The charging network uses CCS technology and has already been installed at more than 20 airports in the US, “with 50 new sites in development.”

“We are thrilled to join forces with Signature Aviation to advance the infrastructure needed to support the future of urban air mobility. By focusing on electrifying key aviation assets in major cities such as New York and Chicago, we are taking essential steps toward making sustainable and efficient air travel a reality,” said Bryan Bernhard, Archer’s Chief Growth & Infrastructure Officer.

“We’re committed to shaping the future of aviation through sustainability and thrilled to work alongside Archer as we expand our infrastructure to support the electrification of the industry,” said Derek DeCross, Chief Commercial Officer at Signature Aviation. “This collaboration unlocks new possibilities in the design and introduction of innovative sustainable aviation solutions while also bringing our guests greater access to the future of urban air mobility via Archer’s Midnight aircraft.”

Archer presented the production version of the Midnight in 2022. The vertical take-off and landing eVTOL can accommodate four passengers and is flown by one pilot. The company received certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at the beginning of June, allowing it to commence commercial flight operations. However, it will initially not use the Midnight, but conventional aircraft.

archer.com