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Archer is set to deploy an initial fleet of Midnight eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft to Abu Dhabi later this year and conduct the first passenger flight. It’s all part of the company’s “Launch Edition” commercialization program, described as a “repeatable commercialization playbook” for early adopter markets. In other words, Archer intends to follow the same recipe with similar customers to advance commercial operations.
Before securing the full FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) certification, Archer is ready to start deploying the Midnight aircraft to early adopter markets. The first beneficiary of the “Launch Edition” commercialization program is Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA).
As part of this program, Archer plans to deploy the first Midnight aircraft fleet to ADA later this year, followed by a passenger flight. Archer will also send a team of pilots, engineers, and technicians to support ADA with initial operations. Additionally, the US-based eVTOL company will also provide the backend software infrastructure and front-end booking application.
Archer’s announcement comes after a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with ADA was signed earlier this week, confirming ADA’s commitment to funding the deployment of what Archer calls its Launch Edition aircraft. Overall, the goal is to bring the Midnight eVTOL to its customers as soon as possible while the full FAA certification is still pending.
Archer has a special connection to the UAE, which was confirmed as its first international launch partner a couple of years ago. In 2023, the Midnight aircraft made its Middle Eastern debut at the elite Dubai Airshow, after being selected as the featured aircraft at the event’s AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) Pavilion.
At the beginning of 2024, Archer signed a multi-partner agreement with several key players in Abu Dhabi, including Abu Dhabi Airports (AD Airports), Falcon Aviation Services, and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Following this agreement, Archer was confirmed as the first company to launch commercial air taxi operations in the UAE and the first of eVTOLs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Back in the US, Archer has inaugurated a brand-new manufacturing facility in Covington, Georgia, that covers 350,000 square feet (32,500 square meters). The facility was built in close collaboration with automotive giant Stellantis and targets a 650-unit annual rollout by 2030.
Another important milestone was getting the green light from the FAA to start training and qualifying pilots at its newly launched training academy, one of the first of its kind in the industry.
Archer’s commercial eVTOL, Midnight, was officially launched in 2022. It combines a four-seat configuration with an innovative cabin design that incorporates natural and recycled materials for greater sustainability. Primarily designed for fast and comfortable commutes, the Midnight electric aircraft promises a 20-mile (32 km) range and a top speed of 150 mph (241 kph).
