Archer Aviation has signed an agreement outlining plans to deploy an initial fleet of its Midnight aircraft to Ethiopian Airlines under Archer’s Launch Edition program, in a deal valued at up to $30 million.

The companies will work together to build an air taxi network and explore other use cases, including eco-tourism. Archer plans to provide Ethiopian Airlines with a team of pilots, technicians and engineers to support the initial deployment of these early launch edition Midnight aircraft in Ethiopia.

Archer also plans to provide back-end software infrastructure and front-end booking applications to help power urban air mobility operations during the program.

The airline is the second customer planning to deploy Archer’s Midnight under the Launch Edition program, after Abu Dhabi Aviation. The companies will work with the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) to efficiently and safely operationalize Midnight.

Archer introduced the Launch Edition program in February 2025 to create a scalable commercialization framework for safely deploying aircraft in early adopter markets. The aim is to demonstrate the capabilities of its Midnight aircraft, drive public acceptance, build operational experience and generate early revenue.

“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,” said Alastair Curtis, General Manager, Africa, at Archer.

Source: Archer Aviation