Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR) today announced it will work with Starlink to bring stable, reliable and high-speed connectivity to its air taxis, marking Starlink’s entry into the emerging air mobility category and an industry-first collaboration.
Under the agreement, Archer will install Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite internet system into its Midnight aircraft and conduct testing. The system is designed to provide high-speed, low-latency, connectivity during Midnight’s air taxi operations.
Midnight is Archer’s piloted electric air taxi designed to carry up to four passengers while producing less noise and emissions than a traditional helicopter. Midnight is built with redundant systems across the aircraft—including 12 total engines and propellers— allowing Archer to target similar levels of safety as commercial airliners.
Beyond passenger internet access, Archer plans to utilize Starlink to enable communications between Midnight, pilots and engineering teams on the ground, helping to support the company’s air taxi connectivity infrastructure. Archer and Starlink also plan to work together to develop a connectivity solution that can help power Archer’s future development of autonomous aircraft.
Unlike traditional aircraft connectivity solutions that rely on ground towers or geostationary satellites, Starlink’s LEO constellation is engineered to provide consistent, high-bandwidth coverage even at low flight altitudes and in dense urban environments where cellular coverage is often unreliable. These characteristics make Starlink uniquely suited to next generation aviation platforms, such as air taxis operating in and around cities at altitudes of approximately 1,500 feet.
Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer, said, “Connectivity is a must have feature for Midnight. Starlink is uniquely built to deliver it. This industry-first collaboration will enable seamless, high-speed connectivity and essential amenities for our passengers and pilots.”
Archer’s goal is to enable passengers in Midnight to travel across cities in just 5-15 minutes, dramatically reducing travel times compared to traditional ground transportation. Starlink will provide those passengers with consistent, high-speed connectivity throughout their short trips.
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The Virginia Advanced Air Mobility Smart Airspace program is building the flight paths required by the aircraft of tomorrow.
Its newest partner is delivering the future of flight, today.
In December, the aviation pioneer Electra.aero Inc. officially became the first manufacturer to join the Smart Airspace program. Located in Manassas, Virginia, the company specializes in the type of advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft the program aims to help integrate into the national airspace.
“We are so excited to partner with Electra, as well as a host of other industry experts,” said Tombo Jones, director of the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP), which is leading the program. “As a Federal Aviation Administration test site, our mission is to assist with the safe integration of emergent technology aircraft into the national airspace. To unlock the promise of advanced flight, we need both innovative airframes and the new AAM optimized infrastructure to support them. The smart airspace program helps answer this call by serving as a national platform for collaboration among a diverse group of partners who, together, will be instrumental to the path ahead.”
Funded and supported technically by the Virginia Department of Aviation, the Virginia Advanced Air Mobility Smart Airspace program launched in March 2025 with the aim of creating the first Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved civil instrument flight rules network designed for advanced air mobility research in the United States. The instrument flight rules system provides regulations and procedures for pilots relying on instruments, rather than vision, and gives air traffic controllers a clear understanding of flight paths.
This smart airspace network will include the physical and digital research components and infrastructure needed for full-scale advanced aircraft and drones capable of transporting cargo or people to be widely used across the state.
Jones said Electra’s decision to join is a powerful signal of the value of the platform. As a champion operator with significant momentum, Electra brings valuable insights, operational experience, and technical capabilities that will strengthen the team and accelerate progress across the program.
Electra has built the world’s first hybrid-electric ultra short aircraft, which is a fixed-wing airplane designed to take off and land in as little as 150 feet. Electra joined NAVOS Air, an FAA-authorized developer of instrument flight procedures, as a technical lead in the smart airspace program.
“This partnership marks a critical step forward on our path to unlocking a new era of aviation – one that is simpler, faster, and without the hassle of today’s commercial services,” Parker Vascik, director of product strategy, said in a news release from Electra. “By creating the necessary operational, physical, and digital infrastructure in an affordable package, we are one step closer to enabling safe, scalable, and reliable all-weather AAM operations across the country. Ultimately, our goal is to transform the future of travel, giving people the freedom to travel from where they are to where they want to go.”
In July 2025, Electra representatives visited Blacksburg to conduct the first public test flights of the company’s hybrid‑electric EL2 ultra‑short takeoff and landing technology demonstrator aircraft. These flights highlighted the unique capabilities of the aircraft showcasing how advanced air mobility can serve locations that are inaccessible to conventional aviation. The smart airspace team will collaborate with Electra to design ultra short access point landing areas and instrument flight rules infrastructure tailored to Electra’s flight profiles, significantly expanding access to the national airspace system.
An analysis done by the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation in 2024 projected that enabling advanced air mobility operations in the state could generate $16 billion in new economic activity, produce $2.8 billion in tax revenue, and create more than 17,000 jobs in the aerospace industry.
“The Virginia Department of Aviation is happy to be working with Electra, NAVOS Air, and MAAP on this effort,” said Greg Campbell, director of the Virginia Department of Aviation and president of Virginia Small Aircraft Transportation Systems Lab. “AAM envisions technologies, such as lower-cost air taxi and cargo operations utilizing new aircraft platforms, and propulsion systems to connect regions of the commonwealth. The Smart Airspace program represents an important step in the Virginia Strategy for Advanced Air Mobility in the commonwealth, and positions Virginia to lead in the integration of these new aviation transportation technologies.”
Jones said a successful future airspace will account for these advanced aircraft operations within an FAA-approved framework. Benefits include approach and departure procedures with advanced air mobility specific climb and descent flight profiles, saving energy, maximizing in-flight time, and increasing airspace efficiency. The smart airspace network will include vertiports, designed to support the multiple types of aircraft — vertical and ultra short takeoff and landing — that allow air travel access to be closer to where people live, work, and play.
The Smart Airspace program is establishing an initial advanced air mobility network cell of operation sites that incorporate instrument approaches and departures at each location. Approved low-level routing connecting the locations is also being developed. These locations include:
- An off-airport vertiport at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute in Blacksburg
- An on-airport vertiport at the Class C Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport in Roanoke
- An existing FAA-approved vertiport previously developed by the Smart Airspace team at the Class D Allen C. Perkinson Airport in Blackstone
- The Shannon Airport in Fredericksburg, which is a Class G airport with paved and turf runways
The original concept for Virginia’s Smart Airspace program resulted from the collaborative effort of MAAP, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, NAVOS Air, and the Virginia Tech Innovation and Partnerships team, which supports relationships with a range of companies and foundations.
Jones said the smart airspace program is a great example of the transformational impact that can be created when stakeholders come together to advance an important area of science and technology. This program not only has the potential to play a critical role in the future of Virginia’s airspace and economics, it also positions the state as a national research and deployment hub for FAA, NASA, Department of Defense, and advanced air mobility equipment manufacturers.
“Under the leadership of Greg Campbell, the Virginia Department of Aviation, and the Virginia Small Aircraft Transportation Systems lab, this project is reinforcing the commonwealth’s commitment to advancing the future of flight,” Jones said. “We just really appreciate the opportunity to help shape that future.”
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A pioneering new project is launching in Coventry to build the foundation for drone and air taxi services in the UK.
Urban Ascent brings together leading organisations across technology, research, and local government to prepare Coventry for a future of safe, sustainable aerial drone mobility. The aim is to develop a city-scale blueprint for integrating drones and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into urban environments.
In real life this means assessing how drones could enhance services in areas such as:
- medical logistics – speeding up transport of samples, medicines, and supplies for the NHS
- emergency response – delivering life-saving defibrillators or providing live aerial views enhancing situational awareness
- infrastructure inspection – reducing spending, working at risk and disruption by automating surveys of roads, bridges, and utilities
- urban air taxi preparation – supporting the long-term vision for passenger eVTOL operations to increase mobility and reduce congestion and emission
Councillor Jim O’Boyle cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change said, “Coventry is already leading the way when it comes to drones and their future use in all sorts of areas. This project will see us take the next step in aligning technology with public needs. Here we are talking about things like drones being used to fly urgent medical supplies between hospitals, being used to inspect bridges and roads and even using them to enable an overview of things like road accidents and road congestion. We’re proud to help shape the next chapter of UK aviation from the heart of Coventry.”
Rather than conducting live trials, Urban Ascent focuses on designing the essential frameworks that will make urban drone operations possible in the future including building a business case for urban air mobility and exploring regulatory and infrastructure readiness, including vertiport planning
Mariya Tarabanovska, Innovation Lead – Future Flight at Innovate UK said, “The Urban Ascent project is a strong example of how local authorities, industry, and academia can come together to prepare for the safe and scalable integration of new aviation services which benefit local communities and drive growth across the UK. We’re proud to support this work through the Future Flight programme.”
The work is funded by Innovate UK and the Department for Transport through the Future Flight Regional Demonstrator programme. Led by Coventry City Council, the consortium includes Skyfarer Ltd, Coventry University, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), SLiNK-TECH, and Odys Aviation. The consortium is supported by the Midlands Aerospace Alliance, building on insights from the earlier Drone Ready Cities initiative funded by the Regional Pioneers Fund.
Coventry City Council, as project lead, is building on its legacy as a transport innovation city – from pioneering the UK’s first electric bus fleet to being a testbed for connected and autonomous vehicles. But each partner brings expertise in aerospace, systems integration, transport research, planning, and public service design, creating a model for place-based innovation.
Skyfarer, a leader in drone operations and flight safety, will act as operational and regulatory lead. The company will coordinate the development of operational procedures, safety frameworks, and integration with national airspace systems.
The Research Centre for Future Transport and Cities at Coventry University will lead the assessment of priority use cases, showcasing how drones could enhance services in logistics, emergency response, and infrastructure management. The team will also develop the business case for urban air mobility in Coventry, providing evidence-based insights on how drone and eVTOL technologies can deliver tangible social and economic value for cities.
Consortium Partners:
Coventry City Council, Skyfarer Ltd, Coventry University, Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), SLiNK-TECH, Odys Aviation. Supported by Midlands Aerospace Alliance
Funded by:
Innovate UK and the Department for Transport as part of the Future Flight Programme (Regional Demonstrator Competition)
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Electra.aero, Inc.(Electra) has selected Evolito, a leading developer of electric engines, generators and fully-integrated electric propulsion systems for aerospace, to supply the electric propulsion units (EPUs) for Electra’s groundbreaking EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft that takes off and lands in 150 feet (45 meters).
Evolito will provide Electra with high-performance EPUs that integrate lightweight motors, high-integrity motor controllers, and advanced thermal controls. Engineered for aerospace-grade reliability and efficiency, these EPUs drive the eight propellers along the edge of the EL9’s wing. This distributed electric propulsion system enables the EL9’s ultra-high lift, delivering low airspeeds and precision landings.
“Our production contract with Evolito is a significant step forward for our vision for Direct Aviation—safe, quiet, and affordable air mobility that connects communities in ways never before possible,” said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra.
“Evolito’s lightweight, durable, and cost-effective design will provide exceptional long-term value for operators through low maintenance, long life, and proven reliability.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Electra on the EL9, a game-changing aircraft that aligns perfectly with our mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable aviation,” said Dr. Chris Harris, CEO and Co-founder of Evolito. “Our engine technology is designed for type-certification and scalable production, making it ideally suited to support Electra’s vision for clean, accessible, and efficient regional air travel.”
“Evolito’s EPUs deliver exceptional performance and reliability on a technology chassis with a proven heritage,” noted JP Stewart, Electra’s Senior Vice President, Product Development.
Electra’s nine-passenger EL9 Ultra Short combines patented blown-lift technology and distributed electric propulsion to take off and land in just 150 feet (45 meters), dramatically reducing noise and emissions while unlocking thousands of new access points for air service. Using electric engines to blow air over the wing and large flaps significantly increases wing lift at very slow speeds, allowing the EL9 to take off and land in just 1/10th of the space needed by conventional aircraft. Powered wind tunnel tests of the EL9’s blown wing have validated lift coefficients greater than 20, or seven times greater than the range typical of unblown wings.
With the EL9, Electra is pioneering Direct Aviation, a new model of regional air mobility that saves travellers time, maximizes existing infrastructure, and connects underserved communities. The first test flights are planned for 2027, with certification and commercial service entry anticipated in late 2029, into 2030 under FAA Part 23 regulations. With over 2,200 pre-orders from more than 60 commercial customers worldwide, including both airlines and helicopter operators, the EL9 is already one of the most in-demand aircraft in the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector.
The EL9’s blown-lift technology enables Direct Aviation, a new mode of air travel that uses hundreds of thousands of smaller, more accessible locations to bypass congested airport hubs and bring air travel closer to where travellers live, work, and play.
About Evolito
Evolito is leading electric propulsion and power generation for aerospace with world-leading, light weight axial-flux motors and integrated systems designed for certification and scalable production. Evolito’s electric propulsion systems offer the highest power and torque densities in class. Evolito supports VTOL and fixed-wing applications with propulsion and generation solutions that deliver unmatched power density, efficiency, and safety. The privately held company is based in Oxford. Evolito’s investors include B-Flexion, Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE) and HostPlus.
About Electra.aero
Electra.aero, Inc. (Electra) is an advanced aerospace company building hybrid-electric Ultra Short airplanes that achieve unprecedented performance advantages to fly people and cargo seamlessly without airports, emissions, or noise. With the EL9 Ultra Short, Electra is pioneering Direct Aviation, the next level of connectivity that brings air travel closer to where we live, work, and play. Electra’s Ultra Short technology delivers 2.5x the payload and 10x longer range with 70% lower operating costs than helicopters and eVTOLs with significantly greater safety and far less certification risk.
Electra’s team includes some of the most respected and successful entrepreneurs and engineers in novel aircraft design, with over 40 prior aircraft successfully developed and/or certified. Lockheed Martin Ventures, Honeywell, and Safran are among Electra’s strategic investors along with Prysm Capital, Statkraft Ventures (Norway’s sovereign fund), the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), and other private investors. Electra’s contracted customers include NASA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Navy, along with over 2,200 letters of intent from 60+ commercial customers, including both airlines and helicopter operators.
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RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation and Georgia Department of Transportation are joining forces to study the creation of the nation’s first interstate advanced air mobility (AAM) corridor to improve air mobility.
This innovative initiative, the nation’s first interstate advanced air mobility corridor, will aim to connect Charlotte and Atlanta via a dedicated air route for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and uncrewed aerial systems.
By linking two of the Southeast’s most dynamic metropolitan areas, the corridor will serve as a real-world testbed for next-generation air mobility, demonstrating its potential to reduce congestion, improve travel times and support regional economic growth.
“This corridor is a launchpad for innovation,” said Nick Short, director of the NCDOT Division of Aviation. “It will transform how we connect people, move critical freight and strengthen links between our communities — all while advancing smarter, cleaner and more sustainable transportation systems.”
By establishing coordinated flight paths and leveraging advanced navigation systems, the Charlotte–Atlanta corridor will enhance safety for both traditional and next-generation aircraft. As the first of its kind in the nation, it sets a precedent for future interstate AAM networks across the United States.
The project team is also coordinating with South Carolina to ensure regional airspace integration and identify opportunities for future connectivity. Particularly around general aviation airports and key urban centers such as Greenville.
This partnership reflects a joint investment in the infrastructure, planning and policies needed to accelerate the development of advanced air mobility across the region. Key goals of the project include:
- Accelerating the safe deployment of AAM technologies
- Fostering collaboration between states and other public and private partners
- Ensuring equitable access to next-generation transportation
This corridor marks a significant step forward in modernizing regional mobility and demonstrates the Southeast’s leadership in building safe, efficient and inclusive transportation systems that meet the needs of growing communities, now and into the future.
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We are proud to contribute our Volz Servos expertise to one of the most exciting projects in aviation: Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 prototype programme. The VX4 is a piloted, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed to make air travel safer, quieter, and entirely emission-free — and we’re thrilled to play a part in it’s development.
We are proud to contribute our Volz Servos expertise to one of the most exciting projects in aviation: Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 prototype programme. The VX4 is a piloted, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed to make air travel safer, quieter, and entirely emission-free — and we’re thrilled to play a part in it’s development.
Our advanced actuators — the DA 30-HT, DA 30-HT-D, and DA 58-D — are at the heart of the VX4 prototype, steering all control surfaces of this revolutionary aircraft. We’ve also implemented the Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol into these systems to meet the exacting demands of modern aviation technology.
With over 1,500 pre-orders for the VX4 from major global airlines including American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL, and Bristow, this project is shaping the future of air mobility — and we’re honored to be on board.
Our collaboration with Vertical began in 2019, and it’s been inspiring to see the VX4 evolve through rigorous flight testing. In the words of CEO Phillipp Volz: “We have been working with Vertical since 2019 and are proud to support the latest phases of VX4 flight testing alongside other industry leaders. Our actuators have proven their precision and reliability in a demanding flight test environment.“
In 2025, Vertical Aerospace became only the second company worldwide to complete piloted thrustborne flight manoeuvres with a full-scale vectored thrust eVTOL aircraft — followed by a major first: the successful piloted wingborne flight of a winged eVTOL aircraft in open airspace.
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Aloft Technologies, a leading provider of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) fleet and airspace management solutions, and uAvionix, a pioneer in command, navigation and surveillance systems for UAS, today announced the integration of uAvionix’s FlightLine ADS-B surveillance network and Casia G ground-based optical detect-and-avoid (DAA) system into Aloft’s Air Boss platform for enterprise UAS Traffic Management (UTM).
This joint innovation sets a benchmark for real-time situational awareness by combining cooperative (ADS-B) and non-cooperative (Detect and Avoid – DAA) aircraft detection into a single operational UTM view. The integration gives public safety teams, commercial UAS operators, and regulatory authorities the tools to safely and confidently manage beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations in increasingly complex airspace such as Drone as a First Responder (DFR) programs.
The combined solution will be demonstrated at AUVSI Xponential 2025 next week, providing attendees with a firsthand look at the future of integrated airspace awareness.
Raising the Bar for Safety, Compliance, and Confidence
Core to the collaboration is a shared vision to make UAS operations safer, smarter, and more scalable. With uAvionix’s low-altitude multi-redudancy FlightLine ADS-B network, users gain access to real-time tracking of cooperative aircraft across the U.S., while Casia G adds ground-based optical sensing for detection of non-cooperative aircraft, such as general aviation aircraft or other UAS lacking ADS-B Out for electronic conspicuity.
This layered surveillance capability for risk management and decision making is now available within Aloft’s Air Boss, the powerful UTM platform trusted by enterprise operators and the FAA to manage airspace compliance and flight approvals.
“Partnering with uAvionix to integrate their advanced ADS-B and non-cooperative detection sensors further strengthens our already robust DAA capabilities within Aloft’s UTM and Air Boss platforms,” said Jon Hegranes, Founder & CEO of Aloft. “This integration elevates airspace safety and operational efficiency, enabling our shared customers and airspace stakeholders to achieve new levels of deconfliction, compliance, and confidence in advanced drone operations.”
“Partnering with Aloft’s market-leading Air Boss platform enables us to deliver our best-in-class sensor capabilities directly into the workflows of UAS operators who depend on accurate, reliable, and timely airspace data,” said Cyriel Kronenburg, VP of UAS and Aviation Networks at uAvionix. “This collaboration represents a meaningful leap forward in drone safety and operational effectiveness.”
Designed for Today’s Needs and Tomorrow’s Airspace
- Enhanced Airspace Safety: A Unified view of cooperative and non-cooperative aircraft improves operator risk management and decision-making.
- Operational Efficiency: Greater situational awareness on a single-pane-of-glass reduces the complexity of managing flights in congested or sensitive airspace environments.
- Regulatory Alignment: Combined capability for detection of cooperative and non-cooperative aircraft supports growing FAA and international guidance for BVLOS and DAA equipage.
Initial deployments of FlightLine, Casia G and Air Boss are already underway in high-density UAS operation zones, validating performance in real-world conditions and demonstrating scalable readiness for nationwide deployment.
See It Live at AUVSI Xponential 2025
Attendees of this year’s AUVSI Xponential in Houston Texas can experience the integrated solution at both the Aloft and uAvionix booths (booths 3613 and 3033), where demonstrations will showcase the Air Boss UTM with FlightLine and Casia G data.
About Aloft
Aloft is the leading airspace management platform, powering the largest and most trusted network of drone operations across commercial, recreational, public safety, and government sectors. Aloft’s innovative UAS Traffic Management (UTM) solutions, including the flagship Air Boss platform, deliver real-time situational awareness, dynamic flight authorization, and comprehensive airspace safety capabilities to enable advanced drone operations at scale. Trusted by the FAA and thousands of enterprise customers, Aloft is dedicated to shaping the future of airspace management, unlocking Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) capabilities, and ensuring safe integration of drones into global airspace. For more information, visit www.aloft.ai.
About uAvionix
uAvionix develops and delivers communications, navigation, and surveillance solutions for crewed and uncrewed aviation in both the civil and defense markets. Its products deliver high-performance, low Size Weight and Power (SWaP) ADS-B, GPS, and DAA capabilities that enable safe and scalable integration of UAS into the national airspace. Learn more at https://uavionix.com.
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- Archer announced today that it has signed an agreement outlining plans to deploy an initial fleet of Midnight aircraft to Africa’s largest carrier and Star Alliance member, Ethiopian Airlines, under Archer’s “Launch Edition” program valued at up to $30M.
- The companies will work together to over time build an air taxi network in the region, with Archer planning to provide Ethiopian Airlines with a team of pilots, technicians, and engineers to support the initial deployment of these early launch edition Midnight aircraft in Ethiopia.
- While the two companies will primarily focus on developing an air taxi network in the region, they will also explore other use cases, including eco-tourism.
Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) announced today that it has signed an agreement with Ethiopian Airlines, making it the second customer planning to deploy Archer’s Midnight under the “Launch Edition” program. Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier and a proud member of Star Alliance, operates an extensive global network, serving over 140 international destinations across five continents. The two will now work to bring an all-electric air taxi network to the region using Archer’s Midnight aircraft.
Archer announced the Launch Edition program in February 2025 in an effort to create a scalable commercialization framework for safely deploying aircraft in early adopter markets, enabling the company to demonstrate the capabilities of its Midnight aircraft, drive public acceptance, build operational experience and generate early revenue.
Archer plans to deploy an initial fleet of Midnight “Launch Edition” aircraft to Ethiopian Airlines with a team of Archer pilots, technicians, and engineers to support this initial deployment. Archer also plans to provide backend software infrastructure and front-end booking applications to help power urban air mobility operations during the Launch Edition program.
While Archer and Ethiopian Airlines will primarily focus on developing an air taxi network in the region using Midnight, the two are also exploring using Midnight for a broader range of use cases, including eco-tourism.
Archer and Ethiopian Airlines formalized this partnership during a signing ceremony this week in Addis Ababa. The two will continue working with the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) to efficiently and safely operationalize Midnight.
Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines said, “We are committed to pioneering advanced air mobility solutions that enhance connectivity and drive sustainable aviation in Africa. Our partnership with Archer Aviation marks an important step in bringing cutting-edge eVTOL technology to Ethiopia. Together, we aim to redefine regional travel and create new opportunities for efficient, eco-friendly transportation.”
Archer Founder and CEO Adam Goldstein said, “Last month we announced Abu Dhabi Aviation as our first Launch Edition customer—today we’re following that up with our second, Ethiopian Airlines. Africa presents an untapped opportunity with regards to advanced air mobility, with a variety of compelling use cases that we’ll be exploring together, and I’m proud to be taking a big step forward here alongside Ethiopian Airlines.”
Alastair Curtis, General Manager, Africa, at Archer, said, “This partnership with Ethiopian Airlines represents a transformative step in bringing sustainable and efficient air mobility solutions to Ethiopia and the broader African market. At Archer, we’re committed to working with forward-thinking partners to unlock the potential of eVTOL technology. This is just the beginning of a new era of aviation for Africa.”
“U.S. aviation companies have time and again highlighted the best of American quality and innovation, and we’re excited at the opportunity for Archer to make an impact in the region while making America more prosperous through its new agreement with Ethiopian Airlines,” said Nathan Stickney, Commercial Attaché, U.S. Embassy, Addis Ababa.
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 trips with minimal charge time between flights.
About Archer
Archer is designing and developing the key enabling technologies and aircraft necessary to power the future of aviation. To learn more, visit www.archer.com.
About Ethiopian
Ethiopian Airlines Group (Ethiopian) is a true African success story, transforming a visionary dream into a globally renowned reality for nearly eight decades. Ethiopian Airlines is committed to environmental sustainability through continuous investment in modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, innovative green initiatives, and sustainable aviation practices. As Africa’s leading airline, Ethiopian prioritizes reducing carbon emissions, enhancing operational efficiency, and implementing eco-friendly solutions across its operations. From embracing cutting-edge technology to driving reforestation projects, Ethiopian remains dedicated to building a greener future for global aviation. For more information, please visit www.ethiopianairlines.com
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Electra has revealed the design of its groundbreaking EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric product aircraft, a nine-passenger piloted aircraft built for the electric future that redefines air travel without airports, emissions, or noise. Electra now enters the development phase of the EL9 backed by over a year of successful flight testing of its EL2 Goldfinch two-seat prototype, proving the technology’s readiness for the future of electric aviation.
Electra’s innovative EL9 hybrid-electric propulsion system with blown lift technology enables ultra-short takeoffs and landings in soccer field-size spaces previously limited to helicopters and eVTOLs, but at one-third the cost and with the improved safety and reliability of a fixed-wing aircraft. This unlocks thousands of new locations for direct air service, including small regional airports or unconventional sites like grass fields or parking lots, offering seamless point-to-point regional connectivity for both passengers and cargo. The EL9 aircraft operates with far lower emissions and noise than conventional planes, while its hybrid-electric power system provides extended range and inflight battery recharging, with no ground charging stations required.
“Today’s reveal of the EL9 showcases the dedication of our incredible team and partners,” said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra. “This aircraft is more than a new design—it’s the gateway to a cleaner, quieter, and more affordable future for regional travel. With the EL9, we’re not just making sustainable aviation a reality, we’re redefining how people and cargo move through Direct Aviation, a new category of safe and seamless travel that brings air mobility closer to where we live, work and play.”
The EL9 combines blown lift technology with distributed electric propulsion using four independent battery packs and a small turbine-powered generator that drives eight electric motors distributed along the wing to provide high lift at low airspeeds. The aircraft can take off and land in as short as 150 feet, and cruises at 175 knots. With range and payload to fly missions that matter, the EL9 will carry nine passengers with baggage or 3,000 pounds of cargo for 330 nautical miles, and has a maximum ferry range of 1,100 nautical miles with IFR reserves. It will be certified for IFR and flight into known icing conditions. While the EL9 will be equipped with two pilot crew stations, Electra’s Safe Single Pilot technology with fly-by-wire controls will enable ease of precision landings for a single pilot.
Electra has over 2,100 orders for the EL9 from 52 operators worldwide, representing more than $8 billion in market value. The first test flights are planned for 2027, with certification and service entry anticipated in 2029 under FAA Part 23 regulations.
The EL9 design was presented at Electra’s headquarters in Manassas, Virginia, to an audience of more than 300 guests, including leaders from the aerospace industry, partners, customers, government officials, media, and friends.
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Supernal LLC – Hyundai Motor Group’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company – today announced its return to the biennial Farnborough International Airshow, where it will display its full-scale electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle product concept, S-A2, and share its progress toward launching commercial flights in 2028. The event marks the introduction of S-A2 to the aviation community and is the latest milestone in Supernal’s journey toward realizing safe and efficient everyday passenger air travel.
Following its official debut in January, S-A2 will be on display to the public in Supernal’s airshow chalet (A025). The aircraft is uniquely designed to get people in urban areas to their destinations faster and leverages expertise from Supernal’s aerospace engineering teams in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group’s automotive designers and manufacturing teams. S-A2 will cruise at 120 mph and have an initial range of 60 miles to meet typical city operation needs. The aircraft utilizes a distributed electric propulsion architecture and will operate quietly to meet community noise standards. Most importantly, S-A2 is engineered to achieve global commercial aviation safety standards with a robust airframe structure that includes redundant components in critical systems such as powertrain, flight controls and avionics.
“We are eager to share Supernal’s latest product milestone – our eVTOL product concept – with the aviation industry as we work to launch commercial Advanced Air Mobility operations in 2028,” said Jaiwon Shin, president of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal. “With our ‘right product, right market at the right time’ philosophy, S-A2 embodies critical work Supernal is conducting with fleet operators, suppliers, governments and Hyundai Motor Group to ensure AAM becomes a safe, economically viable and widespread mode of transportation in the coming decades.”
Supernal will initiate prototype testing of S-A2 in 2025; prior to then, the company will begin flying its full-scale technology demonstrator (FSTD). The FSTD test program will inform Supernal’s prototype vehicle by helping to mature and validate vehicle systems, build flight testing capabilities and form strong supply chains. The company today announced GKN successfully delivered the full composite wing assembly for the FSTD and will deliver the booms by the end of the month.
“2024 is a pivotal year for Supernal’s eVTOL development, marking the transition from engineering design to the build and execution phases,” said David McBride, chief technology officer, Supernal. “In addition to gaining instrumental learnings from our full-scale technology demonstrator, we will also begin prototype development and continue refining our production vehicle for scaled manufacturing in the coming months.”
In pursuit of integrating AAM into existing transit options, Supernal continues to convene crucial stakeholders to responsibly co-create the industry’s ecosystem. At the airshow, Supernal will host an industry panel in collaboration with the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, July 24, at 10:00 a.m. Shin and leaders from Honeywell and Kearney will share perspectives on solving AAM challenges to adoption, such as regulatory gaps, the need for new infrastructure and gaining public acceptance. In addition, Supernal will advance and announce efforts related to AAM market development at the airshow.
“We know an eVTOL vehicle is just one piece of the AAM puzzle,” said Shin. “Building the entire ground-to-air ecosystem requires thoughtful collaboration among leaders across all aspects of the industry. The Farnborough International Airshow provides the right platform to do just that.”
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