In May the LA28 organizing committee selected Archer Aviation as the Summer Olympic Games’ official air taxi provider. [Courtesy: Archer Aviation]
Key Takeaways:
The FAA and Archer Aviation aim for eVTOL air taxis, such as Archer's Midnight, to achieve operational scale in major U.S. cities by 2028, with the Los Angeles Olympics serving as a key launch for passenger services.
Significant hurdles remain for widespread eVTOL deployment, including obtaining FAA type certification for the new "powered-lift" aircraft category, establishing charging infrastructure, and gaining sufficient operational experience in urban environments.
Despite expert skepticism about the aggressive timeline for large-scale service, the U.S. government is actively supporting the eVTOL industry through research, harmonized certification standards, and pilot programs to foster innovation.
The FAA’s Innovate28 blueprint forecasts 2028 as the year electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis reach operational scale in major U.S. cities, such as Los Angeles. The City of Angels is slated to host the 2028 Olympic Games that summer.
If scale is the goal, there are few events grander than the Olympics.
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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.
![In May the LA28 organizing committee selected Archer Aviation as the Summer Olympic Games’ official air taxi provider. [Courtesy: Archer Aviation]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/FLY0825_1.3-Modern-Flying-1-scaled.jpeg)
