Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR) and Soracle Corporation have signed agreements to bring eVTOL advanced air mobility (AAM) services to Japan.
Soracle is a newly established joint venture between Japan Airlines and Sumitomo Corporation.
The new venture plans to launch its AAM operations in Japan using up to 100 of Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft. It will offer electric air taxi flights in cities where existing ground transportation is constrained by traffic or geographic barriers.
Planned Air Taxi Operations
To facilitate this, Soracle has obtained the right to place aircraft orders of up to 100 Midnight aircraft, totaling approximately $500M. This would include pre-delivery payments based on certain milestones before aircraft delivery.
Soracle will develop a variety of flight routes in attractive areas for residents, as well as domestic and international visitors. This will include key locations like Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hokkaido, Setouchi, and Okinawa. The overall aim is to establish a transportation network that creates new value through mobility in the sky.
The Emergence of UAM
The emergence of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) presents a transformative opportunity to rethink urban transportation.
By leveraging electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, UAM has the potential to alleviate congestion. It will reduce emissions, and provide faster, more efficient travel options in densely populated areas. Archer and Soracle’s partnership is a significant step towards realizing this future.
The partner companies will work closely with the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) to obtain the necessary permissions and certifications.
Archer and JCAB have already begun discussions, and Archer intends to work to certify its aircraft in Japan. To memorialize this joint agreement, Soracle and Archer held a signing ceremony in Tokyo on September 26, 2024.
Japan: Forward Thinking Approach
“Japan is widely respected for its forward-thinking approach to transportation. This investment into advanced air mobility is yet another example of that,” said Andrew Cummins, Senior Director of Business Development at Archer.
“We’re proud to stand with Soracle ahead of this new era of flight. Together, we are committed to bringing an innovative, sustainable, and convenient transportation alternative to the country.”
Yukihiro Ota, Chief Executive Officer at Soracle added further thoughts. “Through the operation of eVTOL aircraft, Soracle aims to enrich lives and society by creating more accessible air transportation services in Japan.
“We will provide safe and reliable services to passengers by making the most of the wealth of knowledge we have accumulated at Japan Airlines and Sumitomo Corporation.”
Flight Demonstration at World Expo
As a first step towards commercializing AAM services in Japan, Archer and Soracle plan to conduct a public flight demonstration at the 2025 World Expo to build public support, demonstrate the future of aviation, and accelerate stakeholder engagement. The Expo will be one of the most significant global events of the year. The event will draw around 28 million visitors from Japan, the US, and other countries over its six-month duration.
The Midnight eVTOL Aircraft
Archer Aviation designed its electric aircraft, Midnight, to offer passengers a safe, sustainable, and low-noise alternative to ground transportation.
The eVTOL aircraft travels at speeds up to 150 mph, turning hour-long ground commutes into minutes in the air. Archer has designed the Midnight aircraft for back-to-back flights of 20-50 miles with minimal charge time in between.
The aircraft is 100 times quieter than a helicopter at cruising altitudes and has redundant systems across the aircraft designed for similar levels of safety as commercial airliners.
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