Korean Air has chosen Archer as its exclusive partner to launch Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing ( eVTOL) aircraft in Korea. Archer’s Midnight eVTOL, a four-passenger piloted aircraft, will initially enter operations with the Korean government and will be commercialized in the East Asian country across multiple applications and use cases.
The Korean national carrier, which is already a global leader in aviation technology, continues to invest in innovative solutions and technologies that will shape the future of the aerospace industry. The partnership with Archer is the latest of a series of collaborations aimed at realizing Korea’s Urban Air Mobility goals.
Archer Aircraft To Operate In Korea
Korean Air and Archer executives signed an agreement to commercialize Archer’s Midnight eVTOL in Korea to address multiple national priorities. The collaboration includes the potential for Korean Air to purchase up to 100 Midnight aircraft. Korea will advance its position as a leader in adopting new technology, taking advantage of Archer’s innovative products and the national carrier’s experience in aircraft operations and maintenance.
The collaboration will fast-track the introduction of differentiated aircraft capabilities in the near term while laying the foundation for wide deployment of Archer’s eVTOLs in Korea across multiple end markets and use cases. Speaking about the partnership, Archer Founder and CEO Adam Goldstein said,
“Korean Air’s expertise in aerospace and their comprehensive strategic vision for the future make them the ideal partner for Archer. We are excited to introduce Midnight alongside them in one of the world’s largest aerospace markets.”
Investing In Next-Generation Technologies
Korean Air has five decades of aerospace MRO and manufacturing experience and is committed to innovation and adoption of next-generation aviation technologies. The airline’s Aerospace Division plays a key role in advancing Korea’s aerospace capabilities. It is actively engaged in research and development in unmanned aircraft systems, urban air mobility, and stealth technology.
The partnership with Archer supports the country’s ambitions. In 2022, Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport announced eVTOL and urban air mobility adoption as a priority for the Korean government. Meanwhile, Archer has been making significant flight test progress with its Midnight aircraft as part of a series of aircraft performance flight tests.
The Midnight aircraft is a piloted aircraft designed to carry four passengers, along with their carry-on luggage, and perform rapid back-to-back trips with minimal charge time between flights. The San Jose-based company recently showcased its Midnight aircraft at the California International Airshow in front of an audience of about 50,000 people. The aircraft had previously completed several performance test flights, including its longest and highest altitude piloted flights, flying about 55 miles (86 km) in 31 minutes and operating at 10,000 feet.
Adopting Urban Air Mobility Solutions
Archer’s Midnight eVTOL features a unique design brought to life by a collaboration between industrial design and aerospace engineering. According to Archer, the aircraft can reach speeds of up to 150 mph (241 km/h). Midnight has the potential to replace 60–90 minute car rides with 10–20 minute electric air taxi flights. This can offer a safer, more sustainable, and lower-noise alternative to ground transportation.
Korean Air’s Aerospace team is establishing and standardizing urban air mobility operational concepts and procedures based on experiences of flight operation and control in passenger and cargo transportation. The airline is also investing in developing efficient flight operation and control systems and traffic management systems.
The carrier recently entered a research cooperation agreement with Swedish flight tracking company Wingbits. The partnership will support the development, research and testing of the Air Control and Routing Orchestrated Skyway System (ACROSS), Korean Air’s in-house Integrated Air Traffic Control and Routing Coordination System. The airline will have access to real-time flight tracking data to advance airspace integration research for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Korean Air is also building a $884 million Air Mobility Center in Bucheon, Korea.