Archer Aviation has signed definitive agreements to acquire Hawthorne Airport, located just miles from LAX, for $126 million in cash. This historic facility, also known as Jack Northrop Field, will become the operational hub for its network of air cab network network in Los Angeles.
The acquisition of Hawthorne Airport
The airport’s location is in close proximity to strategic points such as SoFi Stadium, the Intuit Dome and downtown, making it an ideal logistics base for the initial deployment of the eVTOL service service. Moreover, the company envisions a leading role for this infrastructure during the 2028 Olympic Games.
Archer will use this base as a starting point for its air network, and at the same time, as a laboratory for intelligent aviation systems. The company plans to integrate AI solutions for traffic management and ground operations, in collaboration with partners such as United Airlines and technologies derived from its flagship Midnight aircraft.
With the acquisition of the airport, Archer closes a quarter marked by the strengthening of its balance sheet, raising its liquidity to more than US$2 billion after raising US$650 million in additional capital. In addition, Archer added more than 300 new patents from Lilium, strengthening one of the most robust intellectual property portfolios in the sector.
During the last few months, the Midnight model achieved important records, such as completing a flight of 88.5 kilometers in 31 minutes and exceeding an altitude of 3,000 meters, demonstrating advanced performance and low noise levels. These advances support its international deployment in markets such as the United Arab Emirates, South Korea and Japan, where strategic alliances have already been established with regional airlines.
The airport purchase includes master leasehold rights, as well as agreements with existing tenants and expansion possibilities for new hangars. This transaction lays the foundation for a solid infrastructure that will support both Archer’s technical development and commercial operations on a global scale.
Source and photo: Archer
