Archer, Kilroy Building Electric Air Taxi Network in Bay Area

The manufacturer and realtor are joining forces to build an air taxi ecosystem including South San Francisco, Napa, San Jose, Oakland, and Livermore.

Friday, June 21, 2024 at 04:19 PM ET

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A digital rendering gives a potential look at what an Archer hub at Kilroy Oyster Point in Northern California might look like. [Courtesy: Archer Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Archer Aviation is launching an eVTOL air taxi service in the San Francisco Bay Area, aiming to replace long car trips with 10-20 minute, zero-emission flights connecting cities like South San Francisco, Napa, San Jose, Oakland, and Livermore.
The company has partnered with Kilroy Realty Corp. to develop Kilroy Oyster Point in South San Francisco as the network's central hub, including plans for a vertiport and a "Sea Portal" offering eVTOL and electric ferry services.
Archer's Midnight eVTOL aircraft, designed for four passengers, will be used, with the goal of competing on price with ground-based ride-hailing while significantly reducing travel times.
Archer has secured key FAA certifications for its Midnight aircraft and air carrier operations, and is collaborating with FBO partners like Atlantic Aviation and Signature Aviation to build out charging infrastructure.

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Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi manufacturer Archer Aviation is bringing its on-demand aerial rideshare service to the San Francisco Bay Area. The company intends to build a network connecting the California cities of South San Francisco, Napa, San Jose, Oakland, and Livermore, replacing one-to-two-hour trips by car with zero-emission, 10-to-20-minute air taxi flights.

Archer’s flagship design, Midnight, is built for a pilot to fly as many as four passengers on 20 to 50 sm (17 to 43 nm) routes, cruising at 130 knots and charging for just a few minutes between trips. The manufacturer’s goal is to compete against ground-based ridehailing services such as Uber or Lyft with a comparably priced offering.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.