Archer Aviation has revealed that the Japan Airlines-led consortium, which features Archer's Midnight aircraft, has been selected by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to participate in phase one of Tokyo's ‘eVTOL Implementation Project’.

Phase one of the project will assess the market and build the operating ecosystem, leading up to planned demonstration flights over Tokyo Bay and river routes, which represents a critical step towards ramping commercial operations in the coming years.

The selection recognises the strength of the existing strategic partnership Archer has developed with Japan Airlines and Sumitomo Corporation through their joint venture eVTOL operating company, Soracle.

Archer and Soracle previously announced a strategic alliance in November 2024 to jointly launch air taxi operations in Japan, with the goal of offering services in cities where existing ground transportation is constrained by traffic or geographic barriers.

Soracle plans to launch its AAM operation in Japan using Archer's Midnight aircraft, with the goal of offering electric air taxi flights in cities where existing ground transportation is constrained by traffic or geographic barriers. To do so, Soracle has obtained the right to place aircraft orders of up to 100 Midnight aircraft, totalling approximately $500 million, which would include pre-delivery payments based on certain milestones in advance of aircraft delivery.

Adam Goldstein, Archer's founder and CEO, says: “We applaud the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's eVTOL Implementation Project. The selection of our consortium to be a part of this innovative government approach gives Archer, together with JAL, Sumitomo Corporation and Soracle, a critical opportunity to help make the promise of urban mobility an everyday reality in Tokyo, the world's largest city.”

Takao Suzuki, executive officer and senior vice president of innovation of Japan Airlines, adds: “Japan Airlines is honoured to work with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and our consortium partners on the first phase of the eVTOL Implementation Project.”

This announcement builds on the recent momentum achieved by Archer in key Asia Pacific markets. In October, Archer announced an exclusive deal with Korean Air that includes the potential purchase of up to 100 Midnight aircraft.