United Airlines purchases electric “ air taxis ” to transport customers to the airport



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Maybe the folks at United Airlines watched a lot of reruns of the quarantined “Jetsons”.

United plans to purchase up to 200 fully electric “air taxis” – with vertical take-off and landing capability – with the goal of getting customers to the airport quickly, safely and ideally with minimal environmental impact .

The Chicago-based carrier has announced plans to work with Archer, an “air mobility company,” to bring the battery-powered aircraft into service by 2024. Once in service, Archer’s aircraft will be able to carry up to 60 United customers. miles away, and at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour.

United Airlines has announced plans to work with Archer, an “airline mobility company,” to bring the battery-powered aircraft into service by 2024. (Jeff Ludes / Archer via AP)

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United CEO Scott Kirby is touting the announcement as yet another of the airline’s “decarbonization of air travel” initiatives.

“By working with Archer, United is showing the aviation industry that now is the time to embrace cleaner and more efficient modes of transportation,” Kirby said in a press release on Wednesday. “With the right technology, we can reduce the impact of airplanes on the planet, but we need to identify the next generation of companies that will make it happen quickly and find ways to help them take off.

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Archer is expected to unveil its first eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft in 2021 before going into production in 2023. United will help achieve Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification, after which United and partner carrier Mesa Airlines will acquire up to 200 devices.

Archer is expected to unveil its first eVTOL (Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft in 2021 before going into production in 2023. (Jeff Ludes / Archer)

Archer has since revealed that his orders from United are valued at $ 1 billion, with an option for an additional half a billion dollars, the Associated Press reported.

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The Palo Alto-based company also previously announced a merger with Atlas Crest Investment Corp. to form a new listed company. Archer and Atlas value the transaction at $ 3.8 billion.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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