Advanced Air Mobility Modern Flying News

Archer Obtains FAA Part 135 Air Carrier Certification

The company is one of two electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi manufacturers to receive the approval, the other being Joby Aviation.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, June 05, 2024 at 10:56 AM ET

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Edited By: tccjeremy

Archer’s Midnight eVTOL air taxi is designed for a pilot to fly as many as four passengers. [Courtesy: Archer Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Archer Aviation received its FAA Part 135 air carrier and operator certificate, a crucial regulatory step enabling it to operate as a commercial airline for its future eVTOL air taxi services.
This certification allows Archer to begin refining operational systems and procedures using conventional aircraft, preparing for its Midnight eVTOL to launch commercially with partners like United Airlines after it achieves type certification next year.
Archer is one of only two eVTOL manufacturers to obtain Part 135 approval, and its five-seat, zero-emission Midnight air taxi is designed for short, cost-competitive routes, with test aircraft currently being built and final FAA airworthiness criteria already secured.

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Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft company Archer Aviation, manufacturer of the five-seat Midnight air taxi, will soon begin flying aircraft commercially.

Archer on Wednesday announced its subsidiary, Archer Air, received an FAA Part 135 air carrier and operator certificate, authorizing it to operate as a commercial airline as Midnight advances toward type certification. The manufacturer anticipates it will achieve that milestone next year. In the meantime, it plans on using its Part 135 approval to fly conventional aircraft “to refine its systems and procedures in advance of launching Midnight into service for airlines like United Airlines,” which in 2021 agreed to purchase $1 billion worth of Archer aircraft.

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.