Photo: Archer
Folks in California can look forward to much shorter airport trips that will also lower the environmental footprint. It's all thanks to the latest collaboration between Archer, maker of the Midnight eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing), and Southwest Airlines.
Archer has been on an ascending path since the beginning of the year, and it's not showing any signs of slowing down. The latest achievement is a memorandum signed by not just any air carrier but the biggest one in California.
It looks like Southwest plans to incorporate the Midnight eVTOL into its operations to speed up airport trips for passengers. With 14 airports operated across the state, this could become a real game-changer in terms of efficiency, with the added benefit of zero emissions. However, serious planning needs to happen prior to that.
What the two companies have in mind is an integrated network that will combine Southwest's existing network with electric air taxi operations. Passengers in the busiest urban areas will have the most to gain from this integrated approach that basically aims to streamline door-to-door passenger trips.
The only bad news is that it's not going to happen overnight. The process of strategic planning and putting all in place is likely to take several years. Still, it's worth the wait, considering that, in the end, a flight from Santa Monica to Napa, for instance, could take less than three hours.
Only a couple of months ago, the eVTOL maker unveiled its first automotive-style battery manufacturing line in California. This is where Archer aims to produce up to 15,000 battery packs per year using automation on a large scale.
The aircraft, on the other hand, will be manufactured in Covington, Georgia. The high-capacity eVTOL production facility there is currently under construction. Things will begin with 650 aircraft units per year and gradually reach an impressive capacity of more than 2,000 eVTOLs annually. The facility is due to be completed by the end of this year.
Stellantis, the automotive giant that is also Archer's strategic partner and contract manufacturer, has confirmed a new massive investment at the beginning of this month. Following Archer's latest flight test success, Stellantis pumped an additional $55 million into the eVTOL maker.
Midnight is a four-seat passenger eVTOL that combines top-level performance with innovative design. Archer plans to incorporate sustainable materials, including recycled plastic bottles, in building Midnight's cabin. Designed to cruise at a top speed of 150 mph (241 kph) and cover 20 miles (32 km) on a single charge, this electric air taxi promises shorter turnaround times coupled with lower operational costs. As for passengers and city dwellers, the faster travel time and low-noise operations are likely to be the biggest selling points.
It looks like Southwest plans to incorporate the Midnight eVTOL into its operations to speed up airport trips for passengers. With 14 airports operated across the state, this could become a real game-changer in terms of efficiency, with the added benefit of zero emissions. However, serious planning needs to happen prior to that.
What the two companies have in mind is an integrated network that will combine Southwest's existing network with electric air taxi operations. Passengers in the busiest urban areas will have the most to gain from this integrated approach that basically aims to streamline door-to-door passenger trips.
The only bad news is that it's not going to happen overnight. The process of strategic planning and putting all in place is likely to take several years. Still, it's worth the wait, considering that, in the end, a flight from Santa Monica to Napa, for instance, could take less than three hours.
Only a couple of months ago, the eVTOL maker unveiled its first automotive-style battery manufacturing line in California. This is where Archer aims to produce up to 15,000 battery packs per year using automation on a large scale.
The aircraft, on the other hand, will be manufactured in Covington, Georgia. The high-capacity eVTOL production facility there is currently under construction. Things will begin with 650 aircraft units per year and gradually reach an impressive capacity of more than 2,000 eVTOLs annually. The facility is due to be completed by the end of this year.
Stellantis, the automotive giant that is also Archer's strategic partner and contract manufacturer, has confirmed a new massive investment at the beginning of this month. Following Archer's latest flight test success, Stellantis pumped an additional $55 million into the eVTOL maker.
Midnight is a four-seat passenger eVTOL that combines top-level performance with innovative design. Archer plans to incorporate sustainable materials, including recycled plastic bottles, in building Midnight's cabin. Designed to cruise at a top speed of 150 mph (241 kph) and cover 20 miles (32 km) on a single charge, this electric air taxi promises shorter turnaround times coupled with lower operational costs. As for passengers and city dwellers, the faster travel time and low-noise operations are likely to be the biggest selling points.
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