Archer Aviation Inc. a leader in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and Signature Aviation, the world’s largest network of private aviation terminals, today announced the signing of an MOU focused on electrifying Signature’s industry-leading network of over 200 airport terminals, giving Archer access to takeoff and landing sites in major metropolitan areas across the U.S. and globally, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, and Texas. The MOU identifies day-one opportunities for launching Archer’s air taxi service in key United Airlines hubs at Newark International (EWR) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) Airports.
The two companies plan to leverage their existing partnerships with BETA Technologies to install BETA’s interoperable rapid recharging systems across Signature’s industry-leading network of private aviation terminals. These systems utilize the Combined Charging System (CCS), which can charge electric aircraft, cars, airplane tugs, buses, and other forms of transportation commonly used at airports. The interoperable rapid recharging system, recently endorsed by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), has been installed at 20+ airports across the country with 50 new sites in development, and is currently used by the industry’s leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
“We are thrilled to join forces with Signature Aviation to advance the infrastructure needed to support the future of urban air mobility. By focusing on electrifying key aviation assets in major cities such as New York and Chicago, we are taking essential steps toward making sustainable and efficient air travel a reality,” said Bryan Bernhard, Archer’s Chief Growth & Infrastructure Officer. “This partnership will help us establish a robust network of landing sites across the country to enable the scaling of our air taxi service, ensuring our Midnight aircraft can seamlessly integrate into urban environments and provide a reliable transportation solution for our passengers.”
“We’re committed to shaping the future of aviation through sustainability and thrilled to work alongside Archer as we expand our infrastructure to support the electrification of the industry,” said Derek DeCross, Chief Commercial Officer at Signature Aviation. “This collaboration unlocks new possibilities in the design and introduction of innovative sustainable aviation solutions while also bringing our guests greater access to the future of urban air mobility via Archer’s Midnight aircraft.”
The two companies plan to electrify initial launch locations as early as 2025, with further expansion planned across Signature Aviation’s global network as Archer’s aircraft availability increases, establishing a leading electric aviation infrastructure experience that offers premium services to Signature’s guests.
Archer’s goal is to transform urban travel, replacing 60–90-minute commutes by car with estimated 10–20-minute electric air taxi flights that are safe, sustainable, low noise, and cost-competitive with ground transportation. Archer’s Midnight is a piloted, four-passenger aircraft designed to perform rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between flights.