Southwest Airlines Co. and Archer Aviation Inc. will collaborate to develop operational plans for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) networks using Archer’s air taxis.
The air taxis will be used at California airports, where Southwest is the largest carrier operating out of 14 airports in the state.
Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate on a concept of operations for integrated electric air taxi networks that would support California airports and the surrounding areas. The collaboration will be over the next few years as the air taxis emerge and begin commercial flights.
The deal could combine the use of an urban air mobility network with Southwest aircraft flights for enhanced service serving both first and last mile journeys, the companies said.
Archer has also signed an agreement with United Airlines to operate air taxi services at key airports where the commercial airliner operates.
Archer has been working fast to create a fleet of air taxis in the U.S. and earlier this year announced plans to build a network across five locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. The network will allow users to take flights to and from the locations in about 10 to 20 minutes. The goal is to offer an alternative to work commutes as well as offering new means of travel for tourists and residents.
Additionally, Archer signed an agreement with NASA to focus on battery cell and safety testing for future air taxis. Archer plans to develop a battery pack with high levels of safety for its Midnight electric air taxi and has received major investments from automotive OEM Stellantis to help build its Midnight air taxis as well as its new manufacturing facility in Covington, Georgia.
