Archer Aviation has signed an agreement with Ethiopian Airlines to introduce electric air taxi operations in Ethiopia.
The companies will work to bring an all-electric air taxi network to the region using Archer’s Midnight aircraft.
In fact, this makes Ethiopian Airlines the second customer planning to deploy Archer’s Midnight under the “Launch Edition” program.
In fact, Archer announced the Launch Edition program in February 2025 in an effort to create a scalable commercialization framework for safely deploying aircraft in early adopter markets, enabling the company to demonstrate the capabilities of its Midnight aircraft, drive public acceptance, build operational experience and generate early revenue.
Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines said, “We are committed to pioneering advanced air mobility solutions that enhance connectivity and drive sustainable aviation in Africa. Our partnership with Archer Aviation marks an important step in bringing cutting-edge eVTOL technology to Ethiopia. Together, we aim to redefine regional travel and create new opportunities for efficient, eco-friendly transportation.”
Alastir Curtis, General Manager, Africa, at Archer, said, “This partnership with Ethiopian Airlines represents a transformative step in bringing sustainable and efficient air mobility solutions to Ethiopia and the broader African market. At Archer, we’re committed to working with forward-thinking partners to unlock the potential of eVTOL technology to support the economic growth of Ethiopia. This is just the beginning of a new era of aviation for Africa.”
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES, ARCHER AVIATION PARTNERSHIP
Archer Aviation plans to deploy an initial fleet of Midnight “Launch Edition” aircraft to Ethiopian Airlines with a team of Archer pilots, technicians, and engineers to support this initial deployment.
Archer also plans to provide backend software infrastructure and front-end booking applications to help power urban air mobility operations during the Launch Edition program.
Archer’s Midnight is a piloted, four-passenger aircraft designed to perform rapid back-to-back trips with minimal charge time between flights.
While Archer and Ethiopian Airlines will primarily focus on developing an air taxi network in the region using Midnight, the two are also exploring using Midnight for a broader range of use cases, including eco-tourism.
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Archer Aviation and Ethiopian Airlines formalized this partnership during a signing ceremony this week in Addis Ababa.
They will continue working with the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) to efficiently and safely operationalize Midnight.
Archer Founder and CEO Adam Goldstein said, “Last month we announced Abu Dhabi Aviation as our first Launch Edition customer—today we’re following that up with our second, Ethiopian Airlines. Africa presents an untapped opportunity with regards to advanced air mobility, with a variety of compelling use cases that we’ll be exploring together, and I’m proud to be taking a big step forward here alongside Ethiopian Airlines.”
Archer’s goal is to transform urban travel, replacing 60–90-minute commutes by car with estimated 10–20-minute electric air taxi flights that are safe, sustainable, low-noise and cost-competitive with ground transportation.
Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, also a proud member of Star Alliance, operates an extensive global network, serving over 140 international destinations across five continents.
