Flying Taxi Company Archer Aviation Gets FAA Commercial Certification

Flying taxi company Archer Aviation has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to begin operating electric aerial vehicles (EAV) commercially.

The Part 135 Air Carrier and Operator Certificate allows Archer to refine its systems and procedures like commercial airlines.

The certificate validates that Archer has demonstrated to the FAA its adherence to the necessary policies and procedures to begin operating aircraft commercially in accordance with the FAA’s safety and operational standards.

Archer is the second flying taxi maker to receive a Part 135 certificate from the FAA, following air taxi company Joby Aviation, which received its FAA certificate in 2022.

"We are honored to receive the Part 135 Air Carrier and Operator Certificate from the FAA, which is another important stepping stone on the way to commencing commercial air taxi operations with our Midnight aircraft," said Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer. "This milestone reflects our team's unwavering dedication to safety and operational excellence as we stand up one of the world’s first electric air taxi services for communities across the U.S. with a safe, sustainable and low-noise transportation solution.”

The Part 135 certificate allows Archer to carry United Airlines passengers to and from airports on Archer flying vehicles once Type Certification is received, which could be as soon as next year. United and Archer are planning to conduct commercial operations together.

Related:Flying Taxi Company Gets Final Airworthiness Criteria From FAA

Archer already had received FAA certification allowing it to perform specialized aircraft repair services. 

Archer has now received the two key FAA certificates required to begin its air taxi operations when its Midnight EAV receives its Type Certification. 

The FAA recently issued final airworthiness criteria for the Midnight.

The Part 135 certification process involves five stages, with extensive documentation of operational manuals and procedures, with pilots demonstrating proficiency under FAA observation.

The Part 135 certification is one of three FAA approvals needed to operate EAVs as an air taxi service in the U.S.

Archer has been expanding globally. The company recently signed a deal with KakaoMobility in Korea for the planned purchase of up to 50 of the Archer Midnight at a value of $250 million.

KakaoMobility would own and operate the EAVs in Korea, with flying taxi flights offered to the 30 million registered users on the Kakao T mobile app starting in 2026. 

Archer is constructing three piloted, conforming flying vehicles, one of which is to be used for piloted flight testing later this year and likely for credit flight testing with the FAA.

Related:Flying Taxis Coming to Korea; $250M Deal

Archer also recently partnered with Etihad Training to recruit and train pilots to fly its Midnight EAV across the United Arab Emirates.

Archer featured Midnight for the first time in Saudi Arabia, following a recent showcasing of the EAV at the DriftX mobility expo in Abu Dhabi.

Archer is in the process of establishing UAM operations across the UAE with the help of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Falcon Aviation and Air Chateau.

Etihad Aviation Training trains pilots for numerous global airlines and plans to work with Archer to recruit and train pilots for the Archer eVTOL.

Archer plans to provide a Midnight flight simulator for the Etihad training center in Abu Dhabi.

Earlier this year, Archer and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office agreed to accelerate commercial air taxi operations in the UAE, scheduled to start next year.

The EAV company has received the backing of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office in terms of funding in the hundreds of millions of dollars and the building of vertiports and charging infrastructure to support the flying taxi service.

Archer’s international headquarters and Center of Excellence are being established in Abu Dhabi.

Related:Flying Taxi Company Signs Deal to Train Pilots for UAE Operations

Archer last year raised $215 million from Stellantis, Boeing, United Airlines and ARK Investment Management, with total funding at that time at $1.1 billion.

Archer’s goal is to replace 60- to 90-minute car trips with 10- to 20-minute flights. The Midnight can carry four passengers and a pilot and is aimed at trips of 20 to 50 miles, with 10 minutes of battery charging time between flights.

For mass production of the EAVs, a high-volume manufacturing facility is being built in Georgia, expected to ultimately be able to produce up to 650 flying vehicles a year.

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