Korean Air has signed an agreement with Archer Aviation to commercialize the Midnight eVTOL aircraft in the Republic of Korea across multiple applications.
The partnership includes plans for Korean Air to purchase up to 100 Midnight aircraft. The collaboration will focus initially on government applications before expanding to other use cases, according to the companies.
Adam Goldstein, founder and chief executive officer of Archer, said, “Korean Air’s expertise in aerospace and their comprehensive strategic vision for the future make them the ideal partner for Archer.”
The agreement positions Korean Air as Archer’s exclusive partner for eVTOL operations in Korea. The airline will leverage its experience in aircraft operation and maintenance to support deployment of the aircraft.
Jin Kyu Lim, senior vice president and head of Korean Air’s aerospace business, said, “This partnership with Archer will accelerate Korea’s leadership in next-generation air mobility. By combining Archer’s industry-leading eVTOL technology with Korean Air’s five decades of aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul and manufacturing expertise and strong commitment to innovation, we aim to lay the foundation for the next generation of air mobility in the Republic of Korea.”
The partnership follows the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport’s 2022 announcement identifying eVTOL and urban air mobility adoption as government priorities.
Archer has been conducting flight tests with its Midnight aircraft, completing flights of approximately 55 miles (89km) in 31 minutes and reaching altitudes of 10,000ft. The company recently displayed the aircraft at the California International Airshow.
The Midnight is a piloted aircraft designed to carry four passengers. The aircraft is designed to perform back-to-back trips with minimal charge time between flights, said the company.
