Archer to Launch eVTOL Air Taxi Trials in US, Company is Acquiring Control of Hawthorne, CA Airport

Archer Aviation has announced plans recently to partner with several U.S. cities to submit multiple applications for early electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi operations under the new federal eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP).

The eIPP is a public-private initiative led by the U.S. Department of Transportation in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, designed to support the safe integration of air taxis into the national airspace. The program aligns with the DOT’s Advanced Air Mobility National Strategy, which provides a framework for incorporating eVTOL aircraft into existing aviation systems.

Archer said its eIPP submissions are structured as public-private partnerships with cities across California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and New York. Among them is an exclusive application with the City of Huntington Beach, California, where Archer is the sole air taxi original equipment manufacturer participating in the bid.

Guided by the DOT and FAA, the eIPP brings together industry, regulators, and local governments to define early operational pathways for eVTOL services. Archer’s efforts are focused on establishing local operations teams, upgrading infrastructure to support electric aircraft, and coordinating closely with public safety and emergency response agencies to enable long-term air taxi operations.

The DOT’s National Advanced Air Mobility Strategy includes 40 recommendations covering certification, operations, infrastructure, and early deployment to ensure safe integration of eVTOL aircraft. The FAA is expected to review initial eIPP applications and announce selected participants in early to mid-2026, with initial operational activity anticipated later that year.

“We’ve moved beyond asking if this industry will happen and are now focused on when and how,” said Archer CEO Adam Goldstein. “Through close collaboration with the Administration, DOT, FAA, and other federal agencies, we have the clearest path to market the eVTOL sector has ever seen. The priority now is execution—building, deploying, and flying these aircraft in the United States.”

Archer Completes First Phase of Transactions to Acquire Control of Hawthorne, CA Airport

On December 9, 2025, Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) announced it has completed the first phase of its Hawthorne, California Airport transaction, which includes acquiring the master lease from the City of Hawthorne along with the associated subleases. This step gives Archer control over the real estate comprising the airport. In early November, the company entered into a series of definitive agreements to secure control of the unique Los Angeles–area aviation asset.

Archer plans to use Hawthorne Airport as the operational hub for its future Los Angeles air taxi network, with a particularly important role anticipated during the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The airport is already a profitable operation, and Archer believes there is significant additional upside yet to be realized.

Located less than three miles from Los Angeles International Airport, Hawthorne Airport is strategically positioned near several of the region’s major destinations, including SoFi Stadium, The Forum, Intuit Dome, and Downtown Los Angeles.

“This marks an important milestone as we build the future of air taxis here in Los Angeles,” said Archer Founder and CEO Adam Goldstein. “We are helping our cities rethink and redefine transportation as we prepare for the next phase of modernization and growth.”

Situated on an 80-acre site in the heart of Los Angeles, the airport includes approximately 190,000 square feet of terminal, office, and hangar space. Originally built in the 1920s, the historic Hawthorne Airport, also known as Jack Northrop Field, played a key role in shaping Southern California’s aerospace legacy.

Beyond operations, Archer intends to use the airport as an innovation testbed for next-generation, AI-powered aviation technologies it is developing with airline and technology partners. These include advanced air traffic and ground operations management systems, which Archer believes could significantly increase the value of the already profitable airport.

In the second phase of the transaction, expected next year, Archer plans to acquire the airport’s fixed-base operator and passenger terminal, giving the company full control over airport operations and day-to-day management.