Archer Aviation Stock Climbs on White House Air Taxi Program News
Shares jump as the eVTOL maker announces participation in a federal pilot program to accelerate the deployment of flying taxis.
Shares of Archer Aviation (ACHR) gained more than 4% in premarket trading after the company announced it will join a new White House pilot program aimed at accelerating the deployment of electric air taxis. The initiative, a key step forward for the nascent industry, will see Archer leverage its partnership with United Airlines for trial flights of its Midnight eVTOL aircraft.
The White House's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) is the first federal effort of its kind, designed to speed up the rollout of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in American cities. , overseen by the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will provide a regulatory framework for the company to conduct trial flights before achieving full certification.
The program is a significant step for the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry, which aims to revolutionize urban transportation with quiet, efficient, and electric-powered aircraft. The trials will focus on demonstrating the safety, noise levels, and scalability of eVTOL operations, which are critical for gaining public acceptance. , which could begin as early as 2026, will be instrumental in shaping the future of this new form of transportation.
Archer's involvement in the eIPP is separate from, but complementary to, the work of the Advanced Air Mobility Interagency Working Group (AAM IWG). , is tasked with developing a national strategy for integrating AAM into the national airspace. Archer's real-world operational data will provide valuable insights to inform this broader strategy.
The announcement was met with enthusiasm from investors, with retail traders in particular seeing new potential in the stock. The news comes as Archer continues to make strides in the development and certification of its Midnight aircraft, a five-person vehicle designed for short-haul urban routes. The company's partnership with United Airlines, an early investor, provides a clear path to market once the aircraft is certified. The White House's pilot program provides a further boost to Archer's ambitions, signaling strong government support for the future of air taxis in the United States.