Korean Air and Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR) have signed a landmark agreement to commercialize Archer’s Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in South Korea, starting with various government-use applications. As part of the collaboration, Korean Air is expected to purchase up to 100 Midnight aircraft, marking a major step toward integrating advanced air mobility solutions within the country’s aviation ecosystem.
The partnership will combine Archer’s cutting-edge electric aviation technology with Korean Air’s unmatched expertise in aircraft operations and maintenance, positioning South Korea as a leader in adopting next-generation urban air mobility (UAM) solutions. This agreement also represents a critical milestone in advancing the infrastructure and regulatory frameworks required for eVTOL deployment across diverse commercial and public sectors.
Archer Aviation continues to demonstrate strong progress with its Midnight aircraft through ongoing performance test campaigns. Notably, the aircraft recently drew attention from an audience of over 50,000 spectators at the California International Airshow, showcasing its performance and operational capabilities. The company’s recent test flights included its longest piloted journey of 55 miles in 31 minutes and a record altitude of 10,000 feet, underscoring its readiness for real-world operations.
Designed to carry four passengers plus a pilot, the Midnight is capable of performing frequent, short-range flights with minimal charging time between missions. The aircraft is engineered to replace 60–90-minute car journeys with 10–20-minute air taxi rides, offering a sustainable, low-noise, and cost-competitive alternative to road travel. With this strategic partnership, Korea moves closer to realizing a fully integrated electric air mobility network.
