Archer Plans For Air Taxi Trial Participation Under White House eVTOL Pilot Program With U.S. Airlines and Cities

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09/12/2025 - 09:45 AM

In June, President Trump signed an Executive Order to accelerate next-generation aviation technologies—this Order included the establishment of the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP)
Under the eIPP, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are establishing pre-certification operating environments for electric vertical take off and landing aircraft to accelerate the roll-out of air taxis in the U.S.
Today, the DOT and FAA announced the next step in this process: a framework for American cities to participate in the eIPP
Archer is now exploring pathways to work together with U.S. airlines, including United Airlines, and interested cities under the new program to design and execute trial operations of Archer's Midnight aircraft as part of the eIPP
Archer will propose trial operations that focus on demonstrating that their eVTOL operations are safe, quiet and scalable—key factors in building community support for the adoption of this new technology

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR) announced it is aiming to participate in the White House’s newly established eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) alongside U.S. airlines, including United Airlines, and interested cities. This is the first federal initiative designed specifically to accelerate real world electric air taxi operations in the U.S.

Archer’s Midnight aircraft at San Francisco International Airport

Initially outlined in June 2025 as part of the “Unleashing Drone Dominance” Executive Order, the DOT and FAA announced today a framework for cities across the U.S. to participate in the eIPP with OEMs and operators like Archer, unlocking a path to supervised, pre-certification trial operations of eVTOL aircraft in the U.S. as soon as next year.

Archer is now exploring pathways to work together with U.S. airlines, including United Airlines, and interested cities under the new program to design and execute trial operations of Archer's Midnight aircraft as part of the eIPP. The trials are expected to focus on demonstrating that eVTOL operations are safe, quiet and scalable—key factors in building community trust and support for adoption of this new technology.

“This is a landmark moment for our industry and our country. We have an Administration that is prioritizing the integration of eVTOL operations in U.S. cities ahead of full certification in a pragmatic way. We’ll demonstrate that air taxis can operate safely and quietly,” said Adam Goldstein, Archer Founder and CEO. “These early flights will help cement American leadership in advanced aviation and set the stage for scaled commercial operations in the U.S. and beyond.”

“When United invested in Archer back in 2021, it was because we believed electric flying taxis could redefine how we move around our passengers in and around the cities they are departing and arriving at every day. Today, that vision is closer than ever,” said United Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Mike Leskinen. He continued, “This program underscores President Trump’s and Secretary Duffy’s commitment to American innovation and to bringing advanced technology to market for our customers.”

The eIPP marks the next step in moving from development to deployment, building momentum toward full-scale commercialization in the years ahead. This program will provide critical operational data and community engagement needed to scale this new mode of transportation.

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 and goals, including statements regarding the development, flight testing, commercialization, and certification of its aircraft, its plans with respect to working together with United, including whether Archer will be able to participate in and operate in U.S. cities under the eIPP. 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. In addition, please note that any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that Archer believes to be reasonable as of the date of this press release. Archer undertakes no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events.

Source: Archer
Text: ArcherIR