Korean Air to buy up to 100 Midnight eVTOLs as Archer helps advance AAM in South Korea
October 20, 2025
Korean Air has signed an exclusive agreement with Archer Aviation to commercialise its Midnight electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in South Korea, the country’s largest airline-led move yet into advanced air mobility.
Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, Korean Air plans to purchase up to 100 Midnight aircraft for deployment across a range of government and commercial applications. The collaboration supports South Korea’s ambition, announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport in 2022, to make eVTOL operations a national priority.
“This partnership with Archer will accelerate Korea’s leadership in next-generation air mobility,” said Jin Kyu Lim, Senior Vice-President and Head of Korean Air’s Aerospace Business. “By combining Archer’s industry-leading eVTOL technology with Korean Air’s five decades of aerospace MRO and manufacturing expertise, we aim to lay the foundation for the next generation of air mobility in the Republic of Korea.”
Adam Goldstein, Archer’s founder and CEO, added: “Korean Air’s expertise in aerospace and their comprehensive strategic vision for the future make them the ideal partner for Archer. We are excited to introduce Midnight alongside them in one of the world’s largest aerospace markets.”
Korean Air and Archer to advance eVTOL and urban air mobility in Korea
The agreement positions Korean Air as Archer’s exclusive launch partner in Korea, with joint plans to introduce Midnight initially for government applications before expanding to broader commercial use. The deal also aligns with Seoul’s drive to establish the country as a regional leader in sustainable aviation and urban air mobility.
Archer’s four-passenger Midnight aircraft is designed for short, high-frequency routes of around 20 miles, reducing 60- to 90-minute car journeys to 10- to 20-minute electric air taxi flights. The aircraft can perform rapid, back-to-back operations with minimal charge time and operates with low noise and zero in-flight emissions.
The company has made notable progress in flight testing, completing its longest and highest flights to date. It recently showcased the Midnight to an estimated 50,000 spectators at the California International Airshow.
Korea’s growing aerospace ambitions
Korean Air’s Aerospace Division already plays a central role in advancing Korea’s aerospace capabilities, including manufacturing, MRO support for the U.S. Department of Defense in Asia, and research in unmanned systems and stealth technology. The partnership with Archer complements those existing programmes by adding an electric air-mobility dimension.
For Archer, the agreement marks its first strategic partnership in Northeast Asia, building on ongoing collaborations in the United States and the Middle East. The company’s progress towards certification and commercial operations places it among the leading contenders in the global eVTOL race.
