Dive Brief:
- Archer Aviation announced today that it received the certificate of occupancy for its approximately 400,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Covington, Georgia. The air taxi developer said it plans to begin initial production in early 2025.
- Archer broke ground on the facility in March 2023. The company said today that it is finalizing its agreement with global automaker Stellantis, which will become its exclusive contract manufacturer.
- Archer aims to manufacture two aircraft per month by the end of next year. By 2030, it plans to produce 650 electric takeoff and landing aircraft annually.
Dive Insight:
On a Nov. 7 investor call, Archer Aviation Founder and CEO Adam Goldstein named New York City, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area and Miami as the company’s first U.S. markets. Archer also has interest from the United Arab Emirates and Japan. The company plans to deploy a network of air taxis in Southern California in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Los Angeles.
Archer worked closely with Stellantis to construct the Covington facility. It will produce Archer’s Midnight aircraft, which is optimized to fly routes of 20 to 50 miles at up to 150 mph, with a quick recharge between flights. The air taxi can carry up to four passengers and their carry-on luggage, plus the pilot.
“Supporting Archer’s electric aircraft growth with our deep manufacturing expertise is a great opportunity for the two companies,” said Stellantis Chief Manufacturing and Supply Chain Officer Arnaud Deboeuf.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement that today’s announcement reaffirms the state’s “commitment to working with innovative companies like Archer to create quality jobs and opportunities for years to come.”
The incoming Trump administration could prove friendly to air taxi developers as they work toward commercialization. President-elect Donald Trump expressed support for advanced air mobility technology such as air taxis in a 2023 campaign speech.
