Archer Aviation has announced plans to build an air taxi network by 2026, when the FIFA World Cup will be held in Los Angeles.

The manned, four-seater electric aircraft, named “Midnight,” will be able to reach speeds of up to 240 km/h and is designed for “consecutive flights” of 30 to 80 kilometers with “minimal charging time in between.”

The company plans to utilize existing infrastructure at locations such as Los Angeles International Airport, Hollywood Burbank Airport, SoFi Stadium and the University of Southern California.

“This is a big moment for Archer. Building our LA network ahead of the global events taking place in the region over the next four years is a milestone that will showcase Midnight to the world,” said Adam Goldstein, CEO of Archer. “LA is known for its terrible traffic – our goal is to provide a safer, faster and more sustainable alternative travel option.”

In addition to the FIFA World Cup, the city will also host the Olympic Games in 2028 and the Super Bowl in 2027.

“California is showing the world what is possible when you use innovation, entrepreneurship and clean energy to solve our biggest challenges,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom.

“Local companies like Archer Aviation are pioneering the next generation of zero-emission transportation that will help California reduce pollution, clean the air and reduce traffic.”

Earlier this summer, the company announced the creation of an air mobility network in the San Francisco Bay Area and a collaboration with Southwest Airlines to connect Archer’s eVTOLs to the airline’s network.

Regulation

Although specialized companies have been talking about the possibility of flying taxis for years, there is still no commercial service that has been fully certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Complex regulations and security protocols mean that companies must go through multiple certification phases.

Despite regulatory uncertainty, investments in this area have increased rapidly.

According to a report by market research firm IMARC Group, the global eVTOL market will reach $24.1 billion by 2028, growing at an average annual rate of 13.6 percent.

Last year, Archer hired former FAA deputy chief Billy Nolen as chief regulatory affairs officer.

During his time at the FAA, Nolen set a goal of using eVTOLs at the 2028 Olympic Games.

“We know that when the 2028 Olympic Games start in Los Angeles, there will be a high demand for air taxis,” Nolen said in November 2022. “We may see some of them in the years leading up to that, but there won’t be nearly as many in 2028.”

Image: Archer Aviation