(Reuters) – Archer Aviation said on Thursday it plans to launch an air mobility network in Los Angeles, with operations beginning as early as 2026.
The planned network in one of the most congested cities of the United States will allow passengers to go to a nearby vertiport, or vertical take-off and landing location, and then fly 10 to 20 minutes in Archer’s Midnight aircraft to their destination of choice within the network.
Archer’s Midnight aircraft, which has not yet been certified to carry pasengers, can fly at speeds upto 150 mph and is designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers along with carry-on luggage.
“LA is known for its horrendous traffic – our goal is to offer a safer, faster and more sustainable alternative travel option,” Archer CEO Adam Goldstein said.
Setting up charging, takoff and landing infrastructure is one of the biggest challenges the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) industry faces.
The San Jose, California-based company did not disclose the size of investment for the planned Los Angeles project.
The company has planned take-off and landing points at key locations such as Los Angeles International Airport, Long Beach and the University of California.
Archer said it is also coordinating with the Los Angeles Rams for potential exclusive vertiports at Woodland Hills and at Hollywood Park.
In June, the company announced plans to establish air mobility network connecting five locations across the San Fransico Bay Area.
(Reporting by Aishwarya Jain and Abhijith Ganapavaram in Bengaluru; Editing by Mohammed Safi Shamsi)
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