Joint Venture to Deploy Archer’s Midnight Aircraft for Urban Mobility

Archer Aviation and Soracle Corporation, a collaboration between Japan Airlines and Sumitomo Corporation, are working together to bring electric air mobility to Japan. Their new agreement includes up to 100 new aircraft, totaling around $500 million.

This aims to help alleviate congestion and improve transportation in Japanese cities where ground travel is limited by traffic or terrain.

Under this partnership, Soracle plans to purchase up to 100 of Archer’s Midnight electric aircraft. This fleet would operate in high-demand urban areas such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. Soracle hopes to eventually extend its network to other regions, such as Hokkaido and Okinawa, to grow travel options for residents, domestic travelers, and international visitors.

Archer and Soracle will need to work alongside Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) to gain certifications. Regulatory discussions between Archer and JCAB have already begun, setting the stage for Midnight’s Japanese approval. This partnership was formally celebrated at a signing event in Tokyo on September 26, 2024.

An upcoming flight demonstration of the Midnight aircraft is planned for Japan’s 2025 World Expo, which will run from April to October and is expected to draw millions of visitors. The showcase will allow Soracle and Archer to highlight their vision for urban air mobility and attract both public interest and stakeholder engagement.

Archer’s Midnight aircraft offers short-haul flights of 20-50 miles at speeds up to 150 mph. It can complete quiet, consecutive flights with minimal recharging and includes multiple safety redundancies. Midnight seats four passengers with room for luggage, making it a practical solution for urban commuters.

“Japan is widely respected for its forward thinking approach to transportation and this investment into advanced air mobility is yet another example of that,” explained Andrew Cummins, Archer’s Senior Director of Business Development. “We’re proud to stand with Soracle ahead of this new era of flight—together, we are committed to bringing an innovative, sustainable and convenient transportation alternative to the country.”

FMI: www.archer.com