Archer Aviation and AEG Partner to Develop Electric Air Taxi Vertiport at L.A. LIVE for 2028 Olympics
Los Angeles is set to welcome its first planned downtown hub for electric air taxis, with Archer Aviation and AEG teaming up to develop a vertiport at L.A. LIVE ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The vertiport will serve as a launch and landing site for Archer's all-electric Midnight aircraft, designed for short trips within urban areas. This partnership designates Archer as the exclusive air taxi provider for L.A. LIVE, AEG's expansive sports and entertainment district adjacent to Crypto.com Arena.
Archer's CEO, Adam Goldstein, views this project as a flagship addition to the company's planned air taxi network in Los Angeles. The proposed vertiport at L.A. LIVE will offer a convenient transportation option for fans, athletes, and visitors to travel directly to and from the downtown entertainment district, bypassing the city's congested roads. The company aims to reduce travel times across Los Angeles to approximately 10 to 20 minutes, significantly shorter than car journeys that can take an hour or more.
In addition to the vertiport at L.A. LIVE, Archer has announced plans for air taxi locations at SoFi Stadium, USC, and Hollywood Burbank, with Hawthorne Airport serving as the network's central operational hub. The collaboration with AEG and the development of the vertiport align with preparations for the 2028 Games, where Archer is the Official Air Taxi Provider of LA28 and Team USA. L.A. LIVE is expected to host 19 Olympic and Paralympic sports during the Games, making the downtown vertiport a crucial transportation asset for accommodating the influx of visitors.
AEG Global Partnerships' President and COO, Nick Baker, expressed excitement about the collaboration with Archer to enhance the fan experience at major sports and live-entertainment events hosted at L.A. LIVE. The companies have conducted a feasibility study to assess land use, airspace, power availability, and community impacts, with a focus on operational plans and passenger utilization of the vertiport. The facility is anticipated to feature electric aviation chargers provided by BETA as part of Archer's ACES consortium, promoting standardized charging infrastructure for air taxi operations.
Archer's Midnight aircraft boasts zero operating emissions and reduced noise levels compared to traditional helicopters, incorporating redundant systems to ensure safety standards akin to commercial airliners. To showcase their partnership and commitment to the 2028 Games, Archer and AEG will unveil a Midnight aircraft adorned with a "Team USA" Olympic livery at L.A. LIVE on August 24, offering public viewing opportunities until August 25. This innovative collaboration between Archer and AEG underscores their dedication to advancing sustainable urban air mobility and enhancing transportation options for residents and visitors in Los Angeles.