Aviation News – Archer Aviation has signed definitive agreements to acquire Hawthorne Airport in Los Angeles for $126 million, establishing a key operational hub for its future air taxi services.
The airport, located less than three miles from LAX and close to major venues including SoFi Stadium, The Forum, Intuit Dome, and Downtown Los Angeles, will serve as the company’s central node for its planned electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) network. The deal underscores a broader push to integrate advanced air mobility into major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Archer plans to use Hawthorne Airport not only as a passenger hub, but also as a development and testing site for its AI-driven aviation operations platform. This platform is designed to improve the safe and efficient coordination of aircraft movement in dense airspace — a key factor in scaling urban air mobility services.
Archer intends to use the airport as the central operating hub for its planned Los Angeles air taxi network, as well as a testing ground for the AI-powered aviation systems it is developing with its airline and technology partners. United Airlines’ Chief Financial Officer, Michael Leskinen, emphasized the significance of this progress, stating: “Archer’s trajectory validates our conviction that eVTOLs represent the next generation of air traffic technology and will fundamentally reshape aviation. Their vision for an AI-enabled operations platform goes beyond eVTOLs — it’s about applying advanced technology to move people safely and efficiently through our most congested airspace. Through United Airlines Ventures, we are investing in companies like Archer that are building the infrastructure and capabilities that will support aviation for decades to come.”
The acquisition marks a significant step toward launching commercial air taxi operations in the coming years. It also reflects growing collaboration between air mobility companies, airlines, and city infrastructure stakeholders.
As Archer prepares to expand its network, Hawthorne Airport is positioned to become a central location for testing, demonstration flights, and eventually, customer travel — signaling a transformative shift in how commuters move across urban environments.