Archer, United Airlines Unveil NYC Airport Air Taxi Plan

Another aviation company has unveiled plans for an air taxi network in New York City. It will partner with United Airlines to connect Manhattan and nearby airports using its electric Midnight aircraft. The service aims to cut commute times to just 5-15 minutes. Pending FAA certification, the initiative highlights the growing interest in sustainable short-haul urban flights and marks a step toward advanced air mobility.

Archer Aviation unveiled plans for a proposed air taxi network in New York City, in partnership with United Airlines, on Thursday, as it seeks to tap into the airport commute market in Manhattan. Shares of the air taxi maker were up 7 per cent in morning trading. Archer plans to link Manhattan with nearby airports using its electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft Midnight, a four-passenger vehicle designed to slash travel time from one to two-hour drives to just 5-15 minutes. Air taxi startups are racing to commercialise aircraft, capitalising on growing demand for faster, more sustainable urban transportation.

Backed by major airlines and defence contractors, these startups aim to ease congestion in crowded cities by offering short-haul flights between airports and urban centres. Archer, supported by companies such as Stellantis and United Airlines, seeks to leverage existing aviation infrastructure in the NYC region with plans to establish vertiports at airports and helipads throughout the area.

"With its existing helicopter infrastructure, regulatory support and strong demand, New York will be one of the first markets for air taxis in the United States, Archer CEO Adam Goldstein said.  

The company's flagship Midnight aircraft has yet to receive a Type Certification from the U.S. aviation regulator. Type certification means an aircraft meets the Federal Aviation Administration's design and safety standards. Once Archer gets the certification, it can integrate Midnight into service.

"Our strategic collaboration with Archer will be key to our efforts to build and optimise the infrastructure, such as real estate developments, airspace management, and safety and security protocols, necessary to bring advanced air mobility to our customers," said Andrew Chang, head of United Airlines Ventures.

United had previously ordered a fleet of Archer's Midnight aircraft. Archer said that under its plans, passengers would consider its flights a complement to traditional airline travel.

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