Archer Aviation has announced the acquisition of Hawthorne Municipal Airport (HHR) in Los Angeles for $126 million, establishing it as a key hub for its urban air mobility network. The 80-acre airport, located within three miles of LAX, will serve as a testing and operational facility for AI-powered air and ground systems, as well as a base for aircraft, crews, and maintenance.
The move aims to facilitate the scaling of vertical airport operations and support service deployment ahead of the 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Archer's recent equity raise of $650 million has strengthened its financial position, enabling further development of its eVTOL aircraft and patent portfolio, including recent acquisitions of Lilium patents.
The purchase is pending approval from local authorities, with support from United Airlines Ventures. Owning a dedicated airport hub is expected to enhance service reliability, utilization, and operational efficiency, especially during peak demand periods linked to the Olympic Games. Despite regulatory and approval risks, Archer’s strategic assets position it for significant growth in the urban air mobility sector.
