Archer Aviation granted FAA approval to operate commercially

Archer Aviation has received its part 135 air carrier & operator certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on June 5, 2024. This certificate allows Archer to begin operating aircraft commercially to refine its systems and procedures in advance of launching its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft Midnight into service. Midnight is still awaiting its type certification from the US regulator. Archer Aviation said in a statement: “Receiving the part 135 certificate signals that Archer Air has developed, and demonstrated to the FAA its adherence to, the necessary policies and procedures to begin operating aircraft commercially in accordance with the stringent safety and operational standards set forth by the FAA. “Today’s achievement is another key step that demonstrates Archer’s work with the FAA continues to gain momentum as Archer is now one of two air taxi manufacturers in the world to have announced receipt of a part 135 certificate from the FAA”. In addition to its part 135 certificate, Archer previously announced it has received its part 145 certificate from the FAA allowing it to perform specialised aircraft repair services, alongside the FAA recently issuing the final airworthiness criteria for the Midnight aircraft. ""We are honoured to receive the part 135 air carrier & operator certificate from the FAA, which is another important stepping stone on the way to commencing commercial air taxi operations with our Midnight aircraft,"" said Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer. Archer is backed by companies such as Boeing, Stellantis, and United Airlines. United’s chief financial officer Mike Leskinen said: ""The pace of progress and innovation that Archer has achieved over the last few years is nothing short of impressive and today marks another key milestone in their journey to bring safe, sustainable, and low noise air taxi services to market.""