Archer reveals electric air taxi network plans for three Texas cities
US electric aircraft firm Archer Aviation has unveiled plans for air taxi networks in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Houston. The proposed networks aim to connect major airports with business districts and other destinations using Archer's all-electric Midnight aircraft.
Image: Archer Aviation
The proposed networks will be located across the state’s so-called ‘Triangle’, a region that connects several major urban hubs in Texas and is home to over 20 million people. Archer has said its intention is to offer Texans a way “to skip over traffic” via its Midnight eVTOL and turn “60-90 minute drives to […] major destinations into 10-20 minute flights.”
The electric aircraft company has shared key details of each of the proposed networks, which give some indication of how Archer aims to implement its air taxi service in both Texas and elsewhere. Notably, the company seems to be prioritising air taxi routes between airports and key business sites.
The most extensive plans so far appear to centre around Dallas-Fort Worth, which aims to connect a number of airports (including Dallas Forth Worth International Airport, Dallas Love Field, Addison Airport, Arlington Municipal Airport, Fort Worth Meacham International Airport, and Perot Field Forth Worth Alliance Airport) with ‘major business hubs’. So far, the latter only includes Frisco Station, a 242-acre business park in northern Dallas.
Image: Archer Aviation
- 1/3
- 2/3
- 3/3
Archer has shared graphic visualisations of its proposed Texas air taxi networks
Meanwhile, in Houston, Archer’s planned network aims to connect George Bush Intercontinental Airport, William P. Hobby Airport, and Sugar Land Regional Airport with the Thompson Hotel Helipad in downtown Houston. The proposed route also connects the helipad with the coastal city of Galveston, which typically takes an hour to reach by car.
Elsewhere, Archer’s plans are a little more thin on details; Archer has merely stated that “Austin’s planned network will connect the city’s major airports like Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Austin Executive Airport to notable locations around the city”.
The plans have been welcomed by a number of business and political leaders in Texas. Senator Ted Cruz said of the proposals: “The race to dominate next-generation aviation is moving faster than ever. Archer Aviation is a prime example of American innovation, demonstrating that the United States has what it takes to be the global standard. These three planned networks will not only allow Texans to reclaim their time but also strengthen American leadership in the skies.”
Looking at the network maps provided by Archer, it remains to be seen whether more downtown air taxi hubs will be introduced in the three cities. Currently, Archer’s proposals seem to focus largely on airports, with only one ‘downtown’ station confirmed in both Houston and Dallas and none yet listed for Austin. This seems to contrast with Archer’s stated aim of helping customers skip commuter traffic and reach busy downtown areas faster; it’s hard to see how basing stations mainly around airports will help them avoid the need for a road vehicle.
However, in July, Archer confirmed its participation in a project entitled America’s Consortium for Electric Skyways (ACES) which it launched alongside Beta Technologies and Macquarie Capital. The goal of the project is to electrify up to 250 air taxi sites across the US, and is currently working with the Texas Department of Transportation and other regional partners to expand charging infrastructure across the state. This is therefore likely to lead to more urban, ‘downtown’ air taxi sites in future, even if Archer has not confirmed these sites as of yet.