Archer Aviation signs eVTOL aircraft purchase with Japan

Archer Aviation Inc. (Santa Clara, Calif., U.S.) and Soracle Corp. (Tokyo, Japan), a joint venture newly established by Japan Airlines and Sumitomo Corp., have signed agreements focused on bringing advanced air mobility (AAM) services to Japan.

“Through the operation of eVTOL [electric vertical takeoff and landing] 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 Corp.,” says Yukihiro Ota, CEO at Soracle. “This announcement is a first step towards making the future we envision a reality.”

Soracle plans to launch its AAM operation in Japan using Archer’s Midnight aircraft, with the goal of offering electric air taxi flights in cities where existing ground transportation is constrained by traffic or geographic barriers.

To do so, Soracle has obtained the right to place aircraft orders of up to 100 Midnight aircraft, totaling approximately $500 million, which would include pre-delivery payments based on certain milestones in advance of aircraft delivery.

Soracle says it will develop a variety of flight routes in attractive areas for residents as well as domestic and international visitors. Route locations could include places like Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hokkaido, Setouchi and Okinawa with the aim of establishing a transportation network that creates new value through mobility in the sky.

Archer and Soracle 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 formally apply for concurrent type certificate validation from JCAB in the near future.

“Japan is widely respected for its forward thinking approach to transportation and this investment into AAM is yet another example of that,” says Andrew Cummins, senior director of business development at Archer. “We’re proud to stand with Soracle ahead of this new era of flight.”

As a first step toward commercializing AAM services in Japan, Archer and Soracle plan to conduct a public flight demonstration at the World Expo to build public support, demonstrate the future of aviation and accelerate stakeholder’s engagement. 

Learn more about Archer Aviation’s developments here.