Airtaxi service expands with 5 new destinations added – the flights aim to replace Uber and slash 2-hour trip to 10 mins
AN airtaxi company has announced new destinations to its innovative service that would cut hour-long trips down to minutes.
Archer, an electric aircraft company, shared its air mobility network that includes five destinations in a new form of commuting.
The taxi service would offer flights in South San Francisco, Napa, San Jose, Oakland, and Livermore, according to Archer.
It would shave one-to-two-hour trips by car on busy California highways to 10-to-20-minute flights.
The company has joined major real estate giant Kilroy Reality Corp to build a main base for the service at Oyster Point in South San Francisco.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Kilroy on developing infrastructure to support Archer’s air mobility service and laying the foundation for a robust network of landing sites throughout the Bay Area,” said Bryan Bernhard, Archer’s Chief Growth & Infrastructure Officer, according to its website.
“I applaud Kilroy’s vision as one of the first developers to see our mobility service as a differentiating amenity for their real estate portfolio.”
Archer’s plane Midnight will be a piloted, four-passenger aircraft built to travel back and forth with minimal time between flights.
The Oyster Point location could open as early as 2025.
Both companies are also exploring more locations to expand their services.
‘SEA PORTAL’
Archer and Kilroy have also teamed up to create a “Sea Portal” that offers electric ferry services for waterfront-based companies.
It would be a mobility hub providing rides and eVTOL, electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, operations.
The portal would also be powered by renewable energy.
“We are excited to work with Archer to explore opportunities to add eVTOL service to Kilroy Oyster Point,” Angela Aman, Kilroy’s Chief Executive Officer, said according to the website.
“We believe that this innovative and sustainable service has the potential to provide exceptional convenience and optionality to current and future tenants at the project, further differentiating Kilroy Oyster Point within the South San Francisco market.”
FLIGHTS IN MIAMI
The company announced a similar program in 2021 called Urban Air Mobility Network that it wanted to launch in Miami by 2024.
What is Archer, the company behind air taxis?
Archer is an electrical energy company based in San Jose, California.
It develops eVTOL, electric vertical takeoff, and landing aircrafts, or airtaxis to enhance urban mobility.
“Archer is focused on delivering the future of what air travel can be: safe, sustainable, and low noise,” the company stated on its website.
It said it would have fully electric planes expected to travel up to 60 miles at 150 mph.
“Cities across America are looking for solutions to traffic and mobility challenges. Our collaboration with Miami will bring quick, safe, affordable everyday flight to Southern Florida,” said Adam Goldstein, co-founder and co-CEO of Archer, according to the press release.
“Launching an Urban Air Mobility (UAM) network in Florida is particularly exciting for Brett and I personally as graduates of the University of Florida.
“We named Archer after our first eVTOL R&D lab, based just off Archer Road in Gainesville, FL, so making an impact on Florida’s transportation issues will be a great full-circle moment for us.”
Brett Adcock, another Archer co-founder and co-CEO, explained how the pricing will work for the airtaxi flights, comparing them to other services today.
“By giving passengers greater flexibility to explore the world around them, we’re bringing adventure to their fingertips, whether they’re commuting to work, or visiting a nearby city or state park, ” Adcock said.
“Archer will develop a UAM network in Miami to support eVTOL aircraft and create a service with a price equivalent to rideshare services on the market today.
“Fundamental to our success, and indeed the success of the entire eVTOL industry, is the support of progressive leaders like Mayor Suarez in supporting innovative new modes of transportation.”