LOS ANGELES (AP) — A groundbreaking announcement has been made with regards to the upcoming LA 2028 Olympics, as fans and VIPs will have the unique opportunity to fly to venues using the first-ever air taxis to be utilized at a games.
Archer Aviation, a pioneering company in the electric air taxi industry, has introduced their piloted electric air taxi called Midnight, which has the capacity to transport up to four passengers from a vertiport takeoff and landing hub near a major venue. These air taxis will take passengers to their destination within the company’s Los Angeles network in a remarkable 10 to 20 minutes, providing a fast and efficient mode of transportation for spectators and important attendees.
The planned network includes vertiports at key locations such as Inglewood and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum south of downtown, which are set to host the opening and closing ceremonies. Other locations within the network include Los Angeles International Airport, Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Orange County.
Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer Aviation, expressed his vision for the company, stating, “We want to transform the way people get around Los Angeles and leave a legacy that shapes the future of transportation in America. There’s no better time to do that than during the LA28 Games.”
One of the key features of the air taxis, as touted by Archer, is their ability to produce less noise and emissions compared to traditional helicopters. The eVTOL aircraft is equipped with redundant, fault-tolerant systems, including 12 total engines and propellers, aiming to achieve certification with the FAA at levels of safety similar to commercial airliners. These cutting-edge air taxis are manufactured at the company’s plants in San Jose, California, and Covington, Georgia.
Furthermore, Archer Aviation has been named as an official provider to the LA 2028 Olympics, Paralympics, and Team USA. In addition to ferrying passengers, the air taxis will also play a crucial role in providing support for emergency services and security throughout the duration of the games.
The partnership with Archer Aviation has drawn high praise from LA chairperson and president Casey Wasserman, who expressed, “Our vision is to fundamentally reimagine the Olympic and Paralympic Games experience. This partnership represents an incredible opportunity to deliver something unprecedented.”
