United Airlines and Archer have selected Chicago O’Hare Airport to Vertiport Chicago as the next point-to-point route for Archer’s eVTOL UAM network buildout. United and Archer are working with partners to ensure the infrastructure is in place by 2025.
On Thursday (March 23, 2023), Archer announced that along with United Airlines, they have selected Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Vertiport Chicago as the next point-to-point route for Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft, as part of their urban air mobility (UAM) network buildout. United and Archer are now working with key partners such as the City of Chicago, Chicago Department of Aviation, World Business Chicago, the State of Illinois, ComED and Vertiport Chicago to ensure the appropriate infrastructure is in place in support of the safe integration of eVTOL aircraft operations by 2025. Vertiport Chicago, North America’s largest vertical takeoff and landing facility, is located in the Illinois Medical District near the Chicago Loop. Early ‘trunk’ routes will focus on airport to city center transportation, and once established, ‘branch’ routes will connect surrounding communities.
In Thursday’s announcement, United Airlines Ventures’ President, Michael Leskinen, said,
“Both Archer and United are committed to decarbonizing air travel and leveraging innovative technologies to deliver on the promise of the electrification of the aviation industry. Once operational, we’re excited to offer our customers a more sustainable, convenient and cost-effective mode of transportation during their commutes to the airport.”
Archer’s Founder and CEO, Adam Goldstein added,
“We’re thrilled to add Chicago to our growing list of initial launch cities as we continue to solidify our UAM network plans. We’re looking forward to working with state and city leaders to bring an innovative transportation solution to the City of Chicago and its surrounding communities.”
Santa Clara, California based Archer is designing and developing eVTOL aircraft to be deployed in urban air mobility (UAM) networks. The company’s mission is to unlock the skies, freeing everyone to reimagine how they move and spend time. Archer’s early launch ‘trunk’ routes will connect airports with city centers, and once established, will be branched out to connect surrounding communities. The first phase of their UAM network is targeted to launch in 2025.
United Airlines’ shared purpose is “Connecting People. Uniting the World.” In 2019, United and United Express® carriers operated over 1.7 million flights carrying over 162 million guests. United Airlines operates the most comprehensive network among North American carriers with mainland U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Shares in the company’s parent, United Airlines Holdings, Inc., are publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol ‘UAL.’
Source(s): Archer, United Airlines