Archer Aviation has purchased Hawthorne Airport near Los Angeles for $126 million, transforming it into the company’s primary operational hub and AI flight testing facility. The San Jose-based eVTOL pioneer positions this acquisition as a key step toward launching commercial air taxi services.
Midnight eVTOL Specifications
- 12 electric engines and propellers
- Top speed of 150 mph
- AI-powered air traffic and ground operations
- Designed for urban air mobility between event venues
LA28 Olympics Partnership
Named Official Air Taxi Provider for the 2028 LA Olympics and Paralympics, Archer plans to deploy Midnight fleet for athlete and visitor transport across venues. The Hawthorne hub will support Olympic operations testing and certification.
Competitive Landscape
- Joby Aviation (Santa Cruz): Uber partnership, 12-minute Marina-Monterey flights
- Xpeng: Promises first flying car delivery in 2026
Expansion Initiatives
- New vertiport at Oyster Point, South San Francisco
- Commercial operations targeting United Arab Emirates
- AI development for autonomous flight management
Regulatory Challenges Ahead
FAA certification remains the primary hurdle, requiring approval of eVTOL designs, new infrastructure, flight corridors, and pilot training programs. Despite 2025’s flying car milestones, regulatory timelines represent the biggest variable in urban air mobility rollout.
