Southwest Airlines unveils electric air taxi venture

NEW YORK, July 14: US carrier Southwest Airlines plans to jointly develop a fleet of electric air taxis to serve the California market with transportation startup Archer Aviation, the companies announced Friday.

The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding envisioning Southwest making use of Archers "Midnight" aircraft throughout the nations largest state, offering short trips from Californias 14 airports.

Begun as an aviation venture in 2018, Santa Clara, California-based Archer has been working to gain Federal Aviation Administration certification of its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The companys Midnight eVTOL can carry four passengers in addition to a pilot.

The aircraft is "designed to transform urban travel, replacing 60-to-90-minute commutes by car with estimated 10-to-20-minute electric air taxi flights," said a joint press release.

"The goal of Archers aircraft is to offer a safe, low-noise, cost-competitive transportation option with no direct emissions."

The Southwest venture follows a joint announcement from Stellantis and Archer earlier this month in which the automaker agreed to an additional $55 million investment in the startup.     —AFP