A new agreement between electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer Archer Aviation and a Japan Airlines startup includes plans for the purchase of up to 100 Midnight aircraft.
Archer Aviation announced on November 7, 2024, that a deal had been struck with Soracle, a newly formed joint venture between Japan Airlines and Sumitomo Corporation, to bring advanced air mobility (AAM) services to the heart of Japan.
Soracle selected Archer’s Midnight aircraft to launch its future AAM operations in Japan and agreed to an intended purchase of up to 100 eVTOLs in a deal potentially worth $500 million.
The Archer and Soracle agreement includes “pre-delivery payments based on certain milestones in advance of aircraft delivery”.
Soracle plans to establish eVTOL networks in Japanese cities where existing ground transportation infrastructure is constrained by traffic or geographic barriers.
As well as international and domestic city visitors, Soracle wants the AAM networks to appeal to local residents as an alternate way to travel.
Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hokkaido, Setouchi and Okinawa are all seen as places where eVTOL route networks could potentially be located.
“Japan is widely respected for its forward thinking approach to transportation and this investment into advanced air mobility is yet another example of that,” said Andrew Cummins, Senior Director of Business Development at Archer. “We’re proud to stand with Soracle ahead of this new era of flight—together, we are committed to bringing an innovative, sustainable and convenient transportation alternative to the country.”
Archer and Soracle will work closely with the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) to obtain the necessary permissions and certifications.
Archer and JCAB have already begun discussions and the eVTOL developer intends to formally apply for concurrent type certificate validation from the Japanese regulator soon.
“Through the operation of eVTOL aircraft, Soracle aims to enrich lives and society by creating more accessible air transportation services in Japan. We will provide safe and reliable services to passengers by making the most of the wealth of knowledge we have accumulated at Japan Airlines and Sumitomo Corporation,” said Yukihiro Ota, CEO at Soracle. “Today’s announcement is a first step towards making the future we envision a reality.”
To “build public support, demonstrate the future of aviation and accelerate stakeholder’s engagement”, Archer and Soracle plan to conduct a public flight demonstration at World Expo 2025.
Archer’s Midnight is a piloted, four-passenger aircraft designed to perform rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between flights. Archer is currently working towards achieving its type certification.
Soracle was launched in June 2024 and aims to “revolutionize mobility in Japan by providing sustainable and efficient air transportation solutions with eVTOL services”.