Summary
- Southwest Airlines and Archer Aviation aims to develop a plan for eVTOL air taxi services in CA airports.
- Plan aims to reduce city-airport commute times by using electric air taxis.
- Collaboration reflects state’s commitment to climate innovation and cleaner transportation.
Southwest Airlines and Archer Aviation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a strategy for the future implementation of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi services in Californian airports.
Laying plans for the future
With operations in 14 California airports, the low-cost airline aims to utilize Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft to enhance connectivity between cities and airports. This initiative, if successful, is set to transform urban travel by reducing travel time from 60 to 90 minutes to just 10 to 20 minutes with electric air taxi flights, meaning that dense urban areas such as Los Angeles or San Francisco could benefit from this.
Photo: Archer Aviation
According to a statement on July 12, 2024,
Southwest Airlines
and Archer will collaborate over the next few years as eVTOLs take off. Commenting on this collaboration to develop a plan for fast and CO2 emissions-free city-to-airport commutes, Vice President of Real Estate at Southwest Airlines, Paul Cullen, said:
“Southwest is eager to explore the convenience Archer’s air taxis could provide Customers flying Southwest at airports in busy urban areas.”
Archer’s Midnight is a piloted, four-passenger aircraft engineered for quick, successive flights with minimal charging time between each trip. The Midnight eVTOL has successfully completed its first phase of testing, which included a series of increasingly complex flight maneuvers and data collection missions.
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The eVTOL transitioned from vertical takeoff to wing-borne flight.
Aiming to transform city commutes
Over the past four to five years, numerous electric air taxi startups have emerged, promising to revolutionize urban commutes within busy metropolitan areas and megacities. Companies such as Horizon Aircraft, Blade Air Mobility, Archer, Wisk Aero, and Joby Aviation have successfully conducted test flights, paving the way for future certifications.
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Wisk Aero Performs First Ever Public Demonstration Of Fully Autonomous Fixed-Wing eVTOL
Wisk Aero flew its sixth generation air taxi.
For instance, Lilium Jet aims to achieve dual FAA and EASA certification for its eVTOL aircraft by late 2025. Joby Aviation has already reached the third stage of FAA certification, making significant progress toward achieving full certification.
Photo: Joby Aviation
In the statement, Senior Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom and Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development Dee Dee Myers outlined:
“Archer’s collaboration with Southwest to introduce air taxis in California showcases our state’s dedication to climate innovation and advanced technology. This initiative is designed to help revolutionize clean transportation with zero-direct emission and affordable options, enhancing the passenger experience, and supporting California’s climate action goals.
The aviation industry has pledged to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. The air taxi could enhance the use of cleaner transportation inside the cities. While investments from aviation giants like Embraer, Boeing, United Airlines, and Lufthansa have bolstered the eVTOL market and its technological advancements, the true path to urban implementation requires more, including infrastructure and battery charging stations.
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With solid financial support, the eVTOL market is markedly growing. It will not be long before these aircraft will fly over our cities.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you believe eVTOL aircraft will revolutionize urban commutes? Let us know in the comments section below.