SEOUL, South Korea – October 20, 2025 – Korean Air announced today a strategic partnership with Archer Aviation, which includes plans for the South Korean flag carrier to potentially purchase up to 100 of Archer’s Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The collaboration aims to commercialize Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft across various applications in South Korea, starting with government use cases.
This agreement marks a significant step for Korean Air into the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector and positions the airline as Archer’s exclusive partner for eVTOL operations in Korea. The partnership aligns with South Korea’s national priority to adopt eVTOL and urban air mobility, as declared by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport in 2022.
Accelerating Next-Generation Air Mobility in Korea
The collaboration will initially focus on leveraging Archer’s Midnight eVTOL for government applications, before expanding to a broader range of commercial uses. This phased approach underscores a strategic vision to integrate advanced air mobility solutions into South Korea’s transportation infrastructure. Jin Kyu Lim, Senior Vice President and Head of Korean Air’s Aerospace Business, emphasized that this partnership will “accelerate Korea’s leadership in next-generation air mobility.” He added that combining Archer’s eVTOL technology with Korean Air’s five decades of aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) and manufacturing expertise will lay the foundation for future air mobility in the Republic of Korea.
Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer, highlighted Korean Air’s “deep aerospace expertise” and “comprehensive strategic vision for the future” as reasons for them being an ideal partner.
The Archer Midnight eVTOL: An Overview
The Archer Midnight is a piloted eVTOL aircraft designed to carry one pilot and four passengers. It is specifically engineered for short, high-frequency urban routes, aiming to transform 60-90 minute car commutes into 10-20 minute electric air taxi flights. The aircraft boasts a cruise speed of approximately 150 mph (241 km/h) and a range of 20-50 miles, with some sources indicating a maximum range of 100 miles. It is optimized for quick charging, allowing for rapid turnaround times of around 10 minutes between flights, which could enable up to 40 flights per day.
Key features of the Midnight eVTOL include:
- Capacity: 1 pilot, 4 passengers.
- Cruise Speed: 150 mph (241 km/h).
- Range: 20-50 miles (some sources state up to 100 miles).
- Low Noise Profile: Designed to operate at approximately 45 dB during cruise, significantly quieter than traditional helicopters.
- Propulsion: Features 12 electric propellers, with six tilt-propellers for vertical and forward flight and six fixed propellers for vertical takeoff and landing. It uses six independent battery packs, ensuring redundancy and safety.
Archer has been conducting flight tests with the Midnight, completing piloted flights of approximately 55 miles (89 km) in 31 minutes and reaching altitudes of 10,000 feet. The aircraft was recently showcased at the California International Airshow.
Korean Air’s Broader Vision for Urban Air Mobility
This partnership is part of Korean Air’s broader strategy to lead in advanced air transportation. In April 2025, Korean Air announced plans to construct a major Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and Aviation Safety Research and Development (R&D) Center in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, with an investment of approximately USD 875 million. This center, slated for groundbreaking in 2027 and opening in 2030, will support research, pilot training, and safety advancements for UAM, including UAVs and eVTOLs.
While Korean Air has also explored partnerships with other UAM developers, such as Hyundai-backed Supernal, this agreement with Archer marks a concrete step towards the procurement and commercialization of eVTOL aircraft. The South Korean government’s proactive stance on UAM, including the Korean Urban Air Mobility Grand Challenge, provides a supportive environment for such initiatives. Archer also has another partnership in South Korea with Kakao Mobility, which agreed to acquire up to 50 Midnight aircraft in May 2024.
The collaboration between Korean Air and Archer Aviation underscores the global acceleration of urban air mobility and the increasing confidence in eVTOL technology as a viable solution for future transportation challenges.
