LB to Host Air Taxi Zone for LA28

Archer Aviation plans to construct a network of vertical takeoff and landing facilities in Southern California to support its electric air taxi service for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company, which has been selected as the exclusive air taxi provider for the games, intends to operate its Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to transport passengers across the metropolitan area during the international event.

The air taxi service is designed to address traffic congestion during the 17-day Olympic Games, which are scheduled from July 14 to July 30, 2028, and subsequent Paralympic Games. Olympic officials expect the games to attract more than 15 million visitors. A key focus of the planned network is the city of Long Beach, where Archer intends to collaborate with Kilroy Realty to establish a vertiport.

Long Beach is scheduled to host several major competitive events during the games, including sailing and water polo. Additionally, handball, rowing, canoe sprint, triathlon and other competitions will take place in the city. According to eVTOL.Travel, vertiports are likely to be built at Long Beach Airport and near the Queen Mary. A flight from Santa Monica to the Long Beach Convention Center is estimated to take approximately 12 minutes. In contrast, ground transit can require between 45 and 95 minutes under typical traffic conditions.

Archer Aviation is an aerospace company focused on the development of electric vertical takeoff and landing, or eVTOL, aircraft. The company designs and manufactures its vehicles at facilities located in San Jose, California, and Covington, Georgia. The primary vehicle for its planned commercial network is the Midnight, a piloted aircraft designed to carry up to four passengers alongside their carry-on luggage.

The Midnight aircraft uses 12 electric motors and propellers to achieve vertical takeoff and landing, transitioning to "wing-borne" flight for horizontal travel. The aircraft is designed to travel at speeds up to 150 miles per hour. It is engineered to perform back-to-back flights spanning distances of 20 to 50 miles, with a required battery charging time of approximately 10 minutes between flights, according to Archer.

The Midnight's electric system produces zero emissions during flight. It is also engineered to operate with lower noise levels than traditional helicopters. According to company specifications, the aircraft generates 100 times less perceived sound energy than a traditional helicopter at cruising altitudes.

To support its Southern California flight operations, Archer has acquired control of Hawthorne Airport, which will serve as the central operational hub for the air taxi network. In December 2025, the company completed the first phase of transactions to acquire the airport's master lease from the City of Hawthorne, along with associated subleases. This 80-acre aviation site, historically known as Jack Northrop Field, was established in the 1920s. It features approximately 190,000 square feet of hangar space, along with offices and passenger terminals.

Archer also obtained an option to acquire a 75% interest in the airport’s fixed-based operation before Dec. 31, 2026. This will give the company much control over daily airport operations. In addition to serving as a flight hub, Hawthorne Airport is planned to function as an innovation testbed where Archer will develop and deploy artificial intelligence systems to manage air traffic and ground operations.

The Hawthorne facility is located less than three miles from Los Angeles International Airport. It is also located near major venues, including SoFi Stadium and the Forum. The Intuit Dome is also near the facility. By establishing its central hub at Hawthorne, Archer aims to create a streamlined transit corridor connecting air travelers directly to the primary competition sites in Inglewood and the surrounding areas.

The agreement between Archer and the LA28 Organizing Committee was established in mid-2025, naming Archer the official air taxi provider for the games and Team USA. This exclusive partnership includes support for emergency services and security personnel during the event.

In addition to the proposed Long Beach vertiport, Archer is developing takeoff and landing sites at several other locations. The planned network includes vertical takeoff sites at Los Angeles International Airport and Santa Monica Airport. Hollywood Burbank Airport is also designated as a network hub. The company is also collaborating with the Los Angeles Rams to plan potential exclusive vertiports at Woodland Hills and at Hollywood Park, the 300-acre district surrounding SoFi Stadium.

Archer is also working with the University of Southern California to integrate its campus into the air taxi network. Over a multi-year period, the two organizations plan to convert existing campus heliports to accommodate the Midnight aircraft. This initiative is designed to provide campus visitors with a fast transit option. The service will support university staff and students, as well as medical patients traveling to and from campus hospitals.

A separate partnership with sports and entertainment company AEG will establish a vertiport at the L.A. LIVE district in downtown Los Angeles. This site represents the first announced vertiport in the downtown area. It will provide direct aerial access to the Crypto.com Arena and the Los Angeles Convention Center, which will serve as a central hub hosting 18 Olympic and Paralympic sports.

The cost of an air taxi flight on the Midnight is projected to be comparable to a premium black-car ground service. Pre-launch estimates listed by eVTOL.Travel suggest a flight between Los Angeles International Airport and downtown Los Angeles will cost between $70 and $140 per seat. Flights on longer routes, such as the corridor between Santa Monica and Long Beach, are expected to cost between $90 and $170.

Commercial booking for the air taxi service is not yet open to the public. Archer plans to open reservations in mid-to-late 2027, and a priority pre-reservation system has been established to allow future passengers to secure positions on a waiting list. The company expects the air taxi network to be fully operational well in advance of the opening ceremonies.

For any inquiries or further information, please contact Jose Cervantes at JoseC.Press@pm.me