Two Silicon Valley-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developers have partnered with Atlantic Aviation to establish the necessary infrastructure for next-generation aircraft to fly into and out of key U.S. airports.
The two companies — San Jose-based Archer Aviation Inc. and Santa Cruz-based Joby Aviation Inc. — signed separate memorandums of understanding with Atlantic, a company that provides aircraft ground handling and flight hospitality services for private aircraft.
The agreements cover four U.S. markets: Northern California, Los Angeles, New York and South Florida. While Archer's efforts will be focused across all four markets, Joby will just focus on Los Angeles and New York.
One part of the agreement focused on the installation of rapid charging stations at those sites, according to a press release. Atlantic already has a relationship with BETA Technologies Inc., a Vermont eVTOL manufacturer for charging stations, a partnership Archer wants to capitalize on as it seeks to power its Midnight aircraft, an electric air taxi that can carry a pilot and up to four passengers, at vertiport locations.
"The most critical enabler at these locations is to ensure we properly electrify the vertiport and install the industry-endorsed charging standard at the selected Atlantic properties," Bryan Bernhard, chief infrastructure officer at Archer, told the Business Journal. "We also plan to work closely with Atlantic to ensure a magical consumer experience for Archer’s passengers and will accordingly focus on seamless customer ingress/egress, air traffic management, passenger security, and multimodal integration."
According to Archer (NYSE: ACHR), the companies plan on launching services in those four initial markets by 2025. As Archer’s operations expand, the companies will continue to build more infrastructure in airports that already have an established Atlantic presence.
Bernhard said the number of chargers at each location is dependent on space provided to Archer by Atlantic. Both companies are still finalizing those details. Atlantic did not immediately respond to the Business Journal's request for comment.
Similarly, Joby will install its own proprietary charging system for electric aircraft, and research how the company’s aircraft can operate in airports across Southern California and the New York City area.
"Infrastructure is a critical piece of the puzzle and Atlantic’s presence in these two key U.S. markets will help ensure we’re well positioned to deliver a meaningful service for our customers," JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, said in a news release. "We’re excited to be working together to lay the foundation for the next generation of clean and quiet flight."
The companies did not say when charging stations would be installed. However, Joby is expecting to launch its commercial flight program come 2025.
Joby did not immediately respond to the Business Journal's request for comment.
Of the 102 locations Atlantic has operations in, three are based in-or-around the Bay Area: San Jose Mineta Interational Airport, Stockton Metropolitan Airport and Napa County Airport.
The partnership marks Archer’s second infrastructure agreement. Late last year, the company signed an MOU with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to begin building the infrastructure needed for commercial service within Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates by 2026.
Working with its global manufacturing partner, Netherlands-based Stellantis NV, and UAE-based partners, Archer plans to build its Center of Excellence in Abu Dhabi. In addition to manufacturing aircraft, the center will also focus on develop and implementation of new aviation technologies.
According to John Redcay, chief commercial and sustainability officer at Atlantic, both partnerships mark a path for Atlantic to continue promoting sustainability in aviation.
"We are excited to work together to electrify our aviation assets to enable quiet and sustainable urban air travel in cities across the U.S.," Redcay said in a news release.
In its efforts to promote sustainability, Atlantic already fuels its aircraft in five of its locations with sustainable aviation fuel, or fuel that is made from renewable and sustainably-sourced materials. Additionally, the company has already already began installing several BETA charging stations at four locations.
