Korean Air partners with Archer Aviation to develop military air taxi

Korean Air and U.S. electric‑aircraft maker Archer Aviation have agreed to convert Archer’s Midnight eVTOL air‑taxi into a military transport platform. Korean Air will lead the conversion and systems integration, while Archer will provide technical support and share its FAA airworthiness‑certification experience. The joint effort targets troop deployment, medical evacuation and search‑and‑rescue missions, giving Seoul a foothold in the emerging defence advanced‑air‑mobility (AAM) market. South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration is considering fast‑track pilot status to accelerate testing, and officials see the project as a stepping stone for domestic AAM certification, localisation of components and future export opportunities. The partnership also aligns with the Transport Ministry’s goal of launching commercial urban‑air‑mobility services by 2028.