Archer Aviation announced Wednesday that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted the company a Part 135 certificate to commence commercial air taxi operations. The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) company became just the second company worldwide to receive the official nod from the US regulator.

Air taxi company Joby Aviation was the first to receive its FAA certificate in 2022.

The official nod from the FAA allows Archer Aviation to start commercial operations with their new Midnight aircraft.

Shares of the California-based aircraft company increased 3% in morning trade following the news of its Part 135 Certification.

Archer said that the company now plans to begin operating conventional aircraft to refine its “systems and procedures” ahead of the Midnight’s commercial launch in the coming years.

The Midnight—the company’s flagship eVTOL aircraft—is yet to receive a Type Certification from the FAA. Aircraft companies must receive this certification to meet the US aviation regulator’s design and safety standards.

What to Expect from the Midnight?

The Midnight aircraft is capable of taking off and landing vertically, eliminating the need for runways. The fully-electric aircraft is operated by a pilot and can carry up to four passengers.

According to Archer, its electric car will reduce the typical 60- to 90-minute road journey by car to just 10 to 20 minutes. Adam Goldstein, the company’s founder and CEO told the media the aircraft could fly 150 miles per hour and could fly up to a hundred miles, but the company would only be targeting the 20 to 30-mile type of trips, but rapid back-to-back trips.

Global Vision

While Archer is a US-based company that signed a deal in 2021 with the city of Los Angeles to operate their air taxi service, it has a global vision. Archer recently announced it will begin commercial operations in South Korea by 2026. This will be in partnership with KaKaoMobility.

However, before Archer can transport commercial passengers, they must obtain an FAA Type Certificate, the final approval required to certify the design of the aircraft. The FAA is expected to send its final rules for eVTOL pilot qualifications and training later this year.

How Have We Reached Here?

Earlier this January, Archers flying taxi finished the first round of the flight test program, which included data collection missions and required the Midnight to demonstrate that it could perform increasingly complex maneuvers while flying.

In April, Archer signed a multi-million-dollar deal with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to launch its commercial air taxi operations in the UAE by late 2025.

Archer’s rival, Joby Aviation, is also scheduled to launch commercial operations in the UAE by late 2025.