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| Southwest Airlines Partners with Archer Aviation to Launch eVTOL Air Taxi Service in California Image credit: Digitimes |
Southwest Airlines has signed an agreement with Archer Aviation to develop an on-demand eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) air taxi service in California, as reported by The Verge. The service will utilize Archer's battery-powered, four-passenger, tilt-rotor Midnight aircraft, which are designed to take off and land vertically like helicopters. This partnership grants Archer's aircraft access to 14 California airports where Southwest operates.
Archer, which emerged from stealth in 2020 after recruiting key talent from Wisk and Airbus' Vahana project, settled a lawsuit with Wisk last year over alleged trade secret theft. Archer has secured a $1 billion order from United Airlines and a deal with global automaker Stellantis to mass-produce its eVTOL craft.
The company recently received a Part 135 air carrier certification from the Federal Aviation Administration, a necessary step to operate an on-demand air taxi service. Archer aims to launch the service before the end of 2025. The collaboration with Southwest includes working with the airline and its partners, including the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, to develop an air taxi network across California. Archer claims its air taxis can complete trips in 10-20 minutes that typically take 60-90 minutes by car.
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