Archer Aviation is set to finalize the construction of its 400,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Covington, Georgia by the end of 2024. The facility will be equipped to produce 650 units of Archer Midnight, the company’s electric aerial vehicle (EAV).
The Midnight, designed for short trips of 20 to 50 miles, can carry four passengers and a pilot. It boasts a maximum speed of 150 mph and requires only 10 minutes of battery charging between flights. The vehicle is intended for low-altitude operations and is designed for rapid, consecutive flights.
Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer, stated, “Thanks to the hard work of the Archer and Stellantis teams, we’re tracking towards completing this manufacturing facility by the end of the year. Once complete, we’ll focus on ramping production up to 650 aircraft a year — our goal is to be the first in the eVTOL industry to achieve scaled manufacturing.”
Archer has recently signed an agreement with Southwest Airlines to develop an electric air taxi network in California, utilizing Archer’s Midnight eVTOLs. This network will integrate with Southwest’s operations at 14 airports across the state, offering a seamless door-to-door travel experience.
Additionally, Archer secured a $55 million investment from Stellantis following a successful transition flight test in June. Stellantis had previously invested $110 million in Archer in 2023 and purchased $8 million in Archer stock earlier this year. The partnership leverages Stellantis’ supply chain and manufacturing resources to advance the development of Archer’s eVTOLs.
The company also announced plans to establish an air mobility network connecting five locations in the San Francisco Bay area. In collaboration with Signature Aviation, Archer will gain access to major United Airlines hubs and private aviation terminals across the U.S.
Archer has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval to commence commercial operations and is now the second air taxi company, following Joby Aviation, to achieve FAA certification. The company aims to start commercial operations with United Airlines after receiving Type Certification next year.
Internationally, Archer has secured a deal with KakaoMobility in South Korea for up to 50 Midnight EAVs, valued at $250 million, with operations projected to begin in 2026. Additionally, Archer has partnered with Etihad Training to recruit and train pilots in the United Arab Emirates, with support from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.
Archer’s funding has reached $1.1 billion, bolstered by recent investments from Stellantis, Boeing, United Airlines, and ARK Investment Management.
