The American company Archer Aviation announced that at the Dubai Air Show 2023, which takes place in Dubai, it signed an agreement to sell one hundred air taxis to the local helicopter operator Air Chateau. This is the second agreement with Arab investors for the purchase of Archer electric aircraft, which will make the UAE the first place in the world to launch mass operation of air taxis with vertical takeoff and landing.
A preliminary agreement with Air Chateau provides for the purchase of 100 aircraft for a total of about $500 million. Apparently, these will be the four-seat Midnight electric planes, the pre-production model of which began flying hours last month to obtain a license from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The company expects to obtain a license in 2024 and start commercial operation of the machines in 2025.
The first 100 air taxis are expected to be commissioned by Air Chateau in 2026. At the same time, the Abu Dhabi Arab Investment Fund (ADIO), with which Archer Aviation signed a memorandum of understanding a month ago, intends to launch air taxi services. Archer Aviation also has an agreement to supply 200 aircraft to India in 2026. The U.S. Army decided to buy six vehicles to study the possibility of new vehicles for special operations and more.
For Archer Aviation, the conclusion of preliminary agreements is not an empty promise. Air Chateau, for example, will transfer $1 million to Archer’s accounts as a non-refundable payment by December 31, 2023, and later pay another $4 million to confirm its seriousness. With the money, Archer Aviation will be able to begin preparations for mass production of electric aircraft, which are growing in popularity.
As a reminder, Midnight air taxis will be capable of reaching speeds of up to 241 km/h and traveling up to 161 km on a full battery charge. The optimal distance for such vehicles is from 30 to 80 km. For an air taxi, 20-minute flights with a 12-minute interval for passenger boarding will be ideal, during which time the batteries can be recharged.
