Archer Aviation Becomes Official Air Taxi Provider for Serbia EXPO 2027

Archer Aviation has signed a landmark agreement with the Government of Serbia to serve as the official air taxi provider for EXPO 2027 in Belgrade. The deal includes options for up to 25 Midnight aircraft and opens the door to broader collaboration in advanced manufacturing and battery supply chains.

This partnership adds another high-profile venue to Archer's rapidly expanding global footprint, which already includes the LA 2028 Olympics and upcoming commercial operations in Abu Dhabi. For the eVTOL industry, the Serbia deal represents a new model: governments procuring air taxi services for major international events.

The Serbia EXPO 2027 Deal

EXPO 2027 in Belgrade is expected to attract millions of visitors from around the world. Serbia's decision to feature eVTOL air taxi service reflects both the country's modernization ambitions and the growing mainstream acceptance of urban air mobility.

Key elements of the agreement include:

• Up to 25 Midnight Aircraft: The deal includes options for Archer to deploy as many as 25 of its Midnight eVTOL aircraft for EXPO operations
• Route Network Development: Archer will work with Serbian authorities to design air taxi routes connecting Belgrade's airport, city center, and EXPO venue
• Manufacturing Collaboration: The agreement explores potential collaboration on advanced manufacturing capabilities in Serbia
• Battery Supply Chain: Discussions include possible battery supply chain development, reflecting Serbia's lithium reserves and manufacturing ambitions
• Legacy Infrastructure: Vertiport infrastructure developed for EXPO could serve as the foundation for permanent urban air mobility operations in Belgrade

The Midnight Aircraft

Archer's Midnight is designed specifically for urban air taxi operations:

• Capacity: 1 pilot + 4 passengers
• Speed: Up to 150 mph
• Range: 100 miles
• Propulsion: 12 electric motors in a tilt-rotor configuration
• Noise: Significantly quieter than helicopters, designed for urban environments
• Safety: Distributed electric propulsion with multiple layers of redundancy

Six commercial Midnight aircraft are currently in production at Archer's Georgia manufacturing facility, built in partnership with Stellantis. The aircraft has completed over 400 test flights, including a piloted flight reaching 125 mph at 1,500+ feet in June 2025.

A Pattern of Marquee Partnerships

The Serbia deal is part of a deliberate strategy by Archer to secure high-visibility partnerships that validate the air taxi concept and create demand certainty:

LA 2028 Olympics: Archer is the official air taxi provider for the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics. The partnership will showcase Midnight aircraft operating in one of the world's most congested metropolitan areas, with routes connecting LAX airport, downtown venues, and suburban locations. The Hawthorne Municipal Airport hub will debut Archer's next-gen AI aviation technology built with Nvidia's IGX Thor platform.

Abu Dhabi — Q3 2026 Launch: Archer is on track to begin commercial passenger flights in Abu Dhabi in the third quarter of 2026, with UAE GCAA certification progressing well. This would make Abu Dhabi one of the first cities in the world to offer regular eVTOL air taxi service.

Japan Airlines — $500M Soracle JV: The joint venture with Japan Airlines targets the Japanese urban air mobility market, leveraging JAL's operational expertise and Archer's aircraft technology.

South Florida Network: Archer is planning an air taxi network spanning Miami, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale — one of the most congested corridors in the United States.

The Nvidia AI Partnership

One of Archer's most strategically significant partnerships is with Nvidia. Together, they are developing next-generation AI aviation technology using Nvidia's IGX Thor platform. The collaboration focuses on:

• Pilot Safety Systems: AI-powered situational awareness and decision support
• Airspace Integration: Real-time traffic management and conflict resolution
• Autonomy-Ready Controls: Building the foundation for future autonomous flight operations
• Sensor Fusion: Integrating data from multiple sensors for comprehensive environmental awareness

This technology will debut at Archer's Hawthorne hub for the LA 2028 Olympics, but its implications extend far beyond a single event. AI-powered flight systems could ultimately enable autonomous operations, dramatically reducing operating costs and expanding the accessible market.

Financial Position: $2B+ Liquidity

Archer ended 2025 with over $2 billion in liquidity, providing substantial runway for executing on its multi-market launch strategy. The company's financial strength comes from several sources:

• Public Market Access: As a publicly traded company (ACHR), Archer can access capital markets as needed
• Strategic Partnerships: Joint ventures and partnerships with Stellantis, Japan Airlines, and others provide both capital and operational resources
• Order Backlog: Archer holds a $6B+ order backlog, providing revenue visibility as commercial operations begin
• Government Contracts: Partnerships with national governments (Serbia, UAE) often include financial support and infrastructure investment

For investors tracking the eVTOL stock market, Archer's combination of financial strength, diversified partnerships, and near-term commercial launch catalysts makes it one of the most closely watched names in the sector.

What EXPO 2027 Means for the Industry

The Serbia deal is significant beyond Archer alone. It establishes a template for how eVTOL companies can leverage major international events to:

• Demonstrate Technology: Events like EXPO provide a controlled, high-visibility environment to showcase eVTOL capabilities to millions of attendees and global media
• Build Public Trust: Seeing air taxis operate safely at a major event normalizes the technology and builds passenger confidence
• Develop Infrastructure: Event-specific vertiport infrastructure can become permanent assets, seeding urban air mobility networks
• Engage Regulators: Government partnerships for events create regulatory precedents and working relationships that facilitate broader commercial operations
• Generate Revenue: Event operations provide early revenue streams while broader commercial networks scale up

Joby Aviation is pursuing a similar strategy with its exclusive six-year operating rights in Dubai, while other companies are targeting events and cities worldwide.

The Regulatory Path

For the Serbia deployment to succeed, Archer will need:

• FAA Type Certification: Required for US operations and likely referenced by Serbian regulators
• Serbian Aviation Authority Approval: Operational permits for flights within Serbian airspace
• EASA Validation: European aviation safety certification, which Serbia may accept
• Pilot Certification: Training and licensing of pilots for Midnight operations
• Infrastructure Permits: Approvals for vertiport construction and operations

Archer is awaiting FAA eIPP (eVTOL Integration Pilot Program) selections expected in early-to-mid 2026. A positive selection would accelerate the path to US commercial operations and strengthen Archer's regulatory credibility internationally.

Looking Ahead

Archer's trajectory in early 2026 is remarkable. With commercial operations approaching in Abu Dhabi, partnerships secured for two of the world's most prominent events (EXPO 2027 and LA 2028 Olympics), and over $2B in liquidity, the company is positioning itself as a global eVTOL leader.

The Q4 2025 earnings report, scheduled for March 2, 2026, will provide additional detail on manufacturing progress, certification milestones, and market development.

Stay current on Archer and all major eVTOL companies on our companies page. Explore when air taxis will be available in cities worldwide, and sign up for our waitlist to secure your spot as one of the first air taxi passengers.