Air taxi firm signs agreement with Southwest Airlines

US air taxi company Archer Aviation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Southwest Airlines to develop operational plans for an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) network across California.

The companies say they will “collaborate on a concept of operations that lays the foundation for integrated electric air taxi networks connecting California airports and surrounding communities”.

Archer’s Chief Commercial Officer Nikhil Goel said the plan would mean passengers will be able “to fly above traffic to get to the airport faster.”

“By putting together Southwest’s impressive network of airports in California and their frequent intrastate flights with our planned network, Southwest customers could someday complete door-to-door trips like Santa Monica to Napa in less than three hours.”

The company says the flights would initially focus on connecting large airports to smaller regional ones and helipads, rather than building new infrastructure in cities.

“Southwest is eager to explore the convenience Archer’s air taxis could provide customers flying Southwest at airports in busy urban areas,” said Southwest’s VP for Real Estate, Paul Cullen. “Integrating Archer’s electric aircraft into the travel journey potentially gives us an innovative opportunity to enhance the experience of flying Southwest.”

While potential sites have yet to be revealed and Archer is still awaiting full approval for manned flights, the announcement is another sign of increased commercial interest in eVTOL technology.

“Archer’s collaboration with Southwest to introduce air taxis in California showcases our state’s dedication to climate innovation and advanced technology,” said Dee Dee Myers, Director of the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

“This initiative is designed to help revolutionise clean transportation with zero-direct emission and affordable options, enhancing the passenger experience, and supporting California’s climate action goals.”

Test flight

Last month, Californian eVTOL firm Joby Aviation completed a 842-kilometre test flight with a hydrogen-electric air taxi demonstrator built by H2FLY, a Joby subsidiary based in Stuttgart, Germany.

The aircraft, which takes off and lands vertically, used a converted pre-production prototype aircraft fitted with a liquid hydrogen fuel tank and fuel cell system.

The firm says It landed with 10 percent of its hydrogen fuel load remaining.

“Travelling by air is central to human progress, but we need to find ways to make it cleaner,” said JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby.

“With our battery-electric air taxi set to fundamentally change the way we move around cities, we’re excited to now be building a technology stack that could redefine regional travel using hydrogen-electric aircraft.

“That world is closer than ever, and the progress we’ve made towards certifying the battery-electric version of our aircraft gives us a great head start as we look ahead to making hydrogen-electric flight a reality.”

Image: Archer Aviation