White House Taps Archer Aviation for Air Taxi Pilot Program

Archer stock rises as company partners with states to prepare for early Midnight aircraft operations.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Archer Aviation announced that its partners in Texas, Florida, and New York were selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration to participate in the White House's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. The initiative aims to create a regulatory pathway for launching electric air taxis and support the introduction of the first new aircraft category in nearly 80 years.

Why it matters

This selection by the White House is a major milestone for Archer Aviation, as it validates the company's technology and positions it as a leader in the emerging electric air taxi market. The pilot program will help accelerate the commercialization of Archer's Midnight aircraft and reinforce U.S. leadership in next-generation aviation.

The details

Archer will work with state transportation departments and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to prepare for early operations of its Midnight aircraft, potentially starting in the second half of 2026. The Midnight is a piloted electric air taxi designed to carry up to four passengers and replace 60- to 90-minute car trips with quieter, all-electric flights to reduce travel time and urban congestion.

  • Archer announced the White House selection on Monday, March 10, 2026.
  • The company plans to begin early operations of its Midnight aircraft in the second half of 2026.

The players

Archer Aviation

An American aerospace company developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban air mobility.

Adam Goldstein

CEO of Archer Aviation.

Texas Department of Transportation

A state agency responsible for maintaining and improving the transportation infrastructure in Texas.

Florida Department of Transportation

A state agency responsible for maintaining and improving the transportation infrastructure in Florida.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

A bi-state government agency that oversees infrastructure and transportation in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area.

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What they’re saying

“This is the clearest sign yet from the White House, the FAA, and the DOT that bringing air taxis to market in the United States is a real priority.”

— Adam Goldstein, CEO, Archer Aviation

What’s next

Archer plans to continue expanding its piloted Midnight aircraft fleet through 2026 and is targeting its first passenger-carrying flights in 2026 as it moves toward commercial air taxi operations.

The takeaway

Archer Aviation's selection for the White House's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program is a significant milestone that validates the company's technology and positions it as a leader in the emerging electric air taxi market. The pilot program will help accelerate the commercialization of Archer's Midnight aircraft and support the introduction of a new aircraft category in the United States.