Archer Aviation has now completed the first phase of its Hawthorne airport transactions that includes the acquisition of the master lease from the City of Hawthorne and the associated subleases, giving it control of the real estate that makes up the airport. In early November, the company signed a series of definitive agreements to acquire control of this one-of-a-kind Los Angeles aviation asset.

Archer expects for the airport to serve as its operational hub for its planned LA air taxi network operations, including serving a key role in the LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games. Furthermore, the airport is a profitable enterprise, which Archer believes has significant additional potential that has yet to be realised.

The Hawthorne airport is strategically located less than three miles from Los Angeles International (LAX) and is the closest airport to some of the city's biggest attractions, including the SoFi Stadium, The Forum, Intuit Dome and Downtown LA.

Adam Goldstein, Archer's founder and chief executive officer, says: “This is an important milestone as we look to build out the future of air taxis right here in LA We are helping our great cities rethink and redefine transportation as we prepare for the next phase of modernisation and growth in our country.”

The airport is located in the heart of LA, sits on an 80-acre site and includes approximately 190,000 sq ft of terminal, office and hangar facilities. The historic Hawthorne was built in the 1920s, and helped shape southern California's aerospace legacy. It is also known as Jack Northrop Field.

Archer also plans to utilise the airport as an innovation testbed for the next-generation AI-powered aviation technologies that it is developing and planning to deploy with its airline and technology partners. This includes AI-powered air traffic and ground operations management, in addition to other key technologies. With this evolution, Archer expects it can significantly enhance the upside for the already-profitable Hawthorne enterprise.

Subsequently, Archer plans to acquire the airport's FBO and passenger terminal next year in the second phase of the transaction, giving Archer full control of the airport and its day-to-day operations.