First African Carrier To Launch All-Electric Air Taxi Network With Archer’s Midnight Aircraft
Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier and a proud Star Alliance member, is once again soaring to new heights, this time by embracing cutting-edge, all-electric aviation technology. In a transformative partnership announced on March 27, 2025, Ethiopian Airlines and Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) have signed an agreement to deploy Archer’s Midnight aircraft under the groundbreaking “Launch Edition” program, valued at up to $30 million.
This strategic alliance makes Ethiopian Airlines only the second global customer to join Archer’s Launch Edition initiative, marking a historic milestone for aviation on the African continent. Together, the two innovators aim to build Ethiopia’s first electric air taxi network, paving the way for faster, safer, and more sustainable urban travel.
Through this partnership, Archer will deliver an initial fleet of Midnight aircraft, along with a full support team of highly skilled pilots, engineers, and technicians to ensure seamless deployment. These sleek electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are designed to replace lengthy commutes, transforming a 60–90-minute car ride into a 10–20-minute smooth and quiet air taxi experience.
But the collaboration doesn’t stop there. Ethiopian Airlines and Archer will also explore a wide array of additional use cases, including eco-tourism, offering environmentally conscious travellers a new, innovative way to explore Ethiopia’s diverse landscapes.
“Our partnership with Archer Aviation marks an important step in bringing cutting-edge eVTOL technology to Ethiopia,” said Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines. “We are committed to pioneering advanced air mobility solutions that enhance connectivity and drive sustainable aviation in Africa.”
This announcement follows a formal signing ceremony in Addis Ababa and underscores Ethiopian Airlines’ unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability. The airline continues to lead the continent by investing in modern, fuel-efficient aircraft and green aviation practices, from carbon reduction initiatives to innovative reforestation projects.
Archer’s Midnight aircraft is a piloted, four-passenger electric aircraft built for rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charging time, perfectly suited to the urban mobility challenges facing fast-growing cities across Africa. By providing front-end booking systems and backend operational infrastructure, Archer will empower Ethiopian Airlines to launch a fully functional air taxi network in the near future.
“Africa presents an untapped opportunity with regards to advanced air mobility,” said Adam Goldstein, Founder and CEO of Archer. “We’re proud to partner with Ethiopian Airlines, a true leader in global aviation, to redefine regional travel and make air mobility a reality in this vibrant part of the world.”
This partnership also represents a win for U.S-Africa trade collaboration. Nathan Stickney, Commercial Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, praised the agreement: “We’re excited at the opportunity for Archer to make an impact in the region while making America more prosperous through its new agreement with Ethiopian Airlines.”
As Archer and Ethiopian Airlines work closely with the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) to safely operationalize the Midnight fleet, this partnership is set to revolutionize how people travel, not just in Ethiopia, but across Africa. It is a bold step into the future of aviation; safe, electric, sustainable, and efficient.
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Ethiopian Airlines Group (Ethiopian) is the fastest-growing airlines brand globally and the continent’s largest airline brand. In its seventy-seven years of successful operations, Ethiopian, the fastest growing airline, has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success. In addition to its main hub in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, it is also pursuing its multi-hub strategy through a hub in Lomé, Togo with ASKY, in Lilongwe, Malawi with Malawi Airlines and in Lusaka, Zambia with Zambia Airways. Ethiopian commands the lion’s share of the African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 150 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. Ethiopian’s fleet category consists of ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Boeing 737s, 777s, 787s, Airbus A350-900 and Bombardier Dash 8-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of seven years. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate most of these aircraft. Having achieved its strategic plan (Vision 2025) ahead of time, Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2035 that will see it become one of the top 20 most competitive and leading aviation groups in the world by providing safe, secured, market driven and customer focused Passenger and Cargo Transport and Logistics, Aviation Training, Airport Management and Ground Services, MRO and Aerospace Manufacturing and Travel and Tourism Services. As a multi-award-winning airline, Ethiopian has been the champion in various coveted awards including Skytrax’s ‘Best Airline in Africa Award’ for six consecutive years among others. The airline has been a Star Alliance member since 2011 and has been registering more than threefold growth in the past 10 years. For more at: www.ethiopianairlines.com
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