Archer Moves to Launch Air Taxi Trials In U.S. Cities Under White House Executive Order as DOT Unveils National AAM Strategy

Key Terms

evtol technical

eVTOL stands for "electric vertical takeoff and landing" aircraft, which are small, electric-powered vehicles capable of taking off and landing vertically like a helicopter. They are designed to provide quick, on-demand transportation within cities or between locations, potentially transforming urban mobility. For investors, eVTOLs represent a growing segment of innovative transportation technology with potential for significant market impact and future growth.

evtol integration pilot program regulatory

An eVTOL integration pilot program is a controlled trial that tests how electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft can operate safely within real transportation systems, including routes, charging, air traffic procedures and ground infrastructure. For investors, it signals whether the technology and regulations are being proven in practice—like a dress rehearsal that reveals operational hurdles, timeline risks and potential revenue paths, helping assess future value and regulatory risk.

advanced air mobility technical

Advanced air mobility involves the development and use of new types of aircraft, such as electric or hybrid vehicles, to transport people and goods through the air more efficiently and safely. It aims to improve urban transportation, reduce traffic congestion, and open up new markets for aerial services. For investors, it represents a growing industry with potential for technological innovation and future economic impact.

national aam strategy regulatory

A national AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) strategy is a government roadmap for bringing new types of small electric aircraft and drones into regular use — think of it as a city planning map for three-dimensional traffic. It sets rules, infrastructure plans, safety checks and certification steps so these vehicles can operate safely alongside traditional aircraft. For investors, the strategy signals where public funding, regulatory support and market demand may flow, helping identify companies likely to win contracts or need certain approvals.

special federal aviation regulation regulatory

A special federal aviation regulation (SFAR) is a targeted rule issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to address a specific safety, operational, or technical issue for a defined set of aircraft, operators, or airspace. Like a temporary traffic law that forces certain drivers to change routes or add safety gear, an SFAR can impose new compliance costs, operational limits, or equipment requirements that may affect airline schedules, aircraft values, and the financial outlook for manufacturers and operators.

oem technical

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, which is a company that produces parts or components used in the final products made by other companies. For investors, understanding OEMs is important because their performance can impact the supply chain and overall success of major industries, especially those relying on specialized parts. Think of OEMs as the suppliers that provide the building blocks for larger products, like the engine parts for a car.

• Archer is partnering with cities across the country to submit multiple applications to launch initial air taxi operations under the White House’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), a first-of-its-kind public-private initiative led by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to support the safe integration of air taxis in the U.S. beginning as soon as next year.
• The applications coincide with the DOT’s unveiling of its Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) National Strategy today, which lays the framework for integrating eVTOL aircraft into the national airspace.
• Archer’s applications to the eIPP are proposed public-private partnerships with cities across California, Texas, Florida, Georgia and New York.
• Archer’s application with the City of Huntington Beach is exclusive, meaning it is the only air taxi OEM that is part of that application. This bid supports Archer's plans for early air taxi operations in and around Los Angeles as part of its role as the Official Air Taxi Provider of the 2028 Olympic Games.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) today announced it has partnered with cities across the U.S. to submit multiple applications to launch initial air taxi operations under the White House’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP).

Pictured: Archer CEO and founder Adam Goldstein at the U.S. Department of Transportation for the rollout of the National AAM Strategy

Established via President Trump’s “Unleashing Drone Dominance” Executive Order, the eIPP is designed to accelerate adoption of electric air taxis in major cities across the country by creating operational pathways for the top American eVTOL companies.

Archer’s applications focus on establishing the foundation required for long-term electric air taxi services in select U.S. cities. This includes building local operations teams, developing or upgrading infrastructure to support eVTOL flights and coordinating closely with public safety and emergency response agencies.

These applications to the eIPP are proposed public-private partnerships with cities across California, Texas, Florida, Georgia and New York.

Archer’s application with the City of Huntington Beach, California is exclusive, meaning it is the only air taxi OEM that is a part of that application. This bid supports Archer's plans for early air taxi operations in and around Los Angeles as part of its role as the Official Air Taxi Provider of the 2028 Olympic Games.

Led by the DOT and FAA, the eIPP is intended to bring together industry, regulators and local governments to establish early eVTOL operations and help U.S. cities prepare for the widespread adoption of electric air taxis that is expected in the coming years.

Archer’s applications come as its founder and CEO, Adam Goldstein, joined the U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and other industry leaders in Washington, D.C. as the DOT unveiled the nation’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) National Strategy, which lays out the framework for integrating eVTOL aircraft into the national airspace.

The National AAM Strategy outlines a coordinated roadmap to safely integrate electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into the national airspace, aligning certification, operations, infrastructure and early deployment to enable American companies to move from flight testing into early commercial operations.

The National AAM Strategy and its accompanying action plan outline 40 recommendations to support early operations and advance President Trump’s America First agenda, including strengthening domestic manufacturing, creating high-skilled jobs and reinforcing U.S. leadership in next-generation aviation.

“Since the Wright brothers first took flight in 1903, America has been at the forefront of aviation innovation,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Today, we have a bold strategy to unlock the future of our skies and unleash this next chapter of aviation safely and efficiently. Advanced air mobility vehicles will benefit the American people—transforming how the flying public travels, how first responders jump into action and communities access healthcare, how businesses deliver goods, and how we defend our nation. I look forward to working together to make this dream a reality.”

“We’re past the question of ‘if’ and firmly into ‘when and how,’” said Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer. “Through our close work with the Administration, DOT, FAA and other federal agencies, we now have the clearest path to market this industry has ever had. The focus now is execution—building, deploying and flying these aircraft here in the United States.”

Casey McKeon, Mayor of Huntington Beach, commented, “We’re glad to partner with Archer to explore a safe eVTOL demonstration in Huntington Beach, bringing new opportunities to our community and keeping our city at the forefront of innovation.”

For several years, Archer has worked closely with the DOT, the FAA and other federal, state and local agencies to help shape this path to market. That collaboration has included participation in the Advanced Air Mobility Interagency Working Group, contributions to the development of the Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) covering air taxis and engagement through the crafting of the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program.

The FAA is expected to review applications submitted during this initial phase of the eIPP and announce selections in early to mid-2026, with early operational activity anticipated to begin later in the year.

About Archer

Archer is designing and developing the key enabling technologies and aircraft necessary to power the future of aviation. To learn more, visit www.archer.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Archer’s future business plans, expectations, and opportunities. These statements include those regarding the design and target specifications of its aircraft, the pace of design, development, certification, testing, manufacturing and commercialization of its planned eVTOL aircraft, or its ability to do so at all; plans to support early operations under the eIPP; anticipated benefits of acquisitions, strategic investments, and collaborations with third parties. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors. The risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed in Archer’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, available at www.sec.gov. Archer undertakes no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events.

Source: Archer Aviation
Text: ArcherIR

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Source: Archer Aviation