Soracle plans to launch its advanced air mobility (AAM) operation in Japan using Archer’s Midnight aircraft, with the goal of offering electric air taxi flights in cities where existing ground transportation is constrained by traffic or geographic barriers.
To do so, Soracle has obtained the right to place aircraft orders of up to 100 Midnight aircraft, totalling approximately $500m, which would include pre-delivery payments based on certain milestones in advance of aircraft delivery.
Soracle will develop a variety of flight routes in attractive areas for residents as well as domestic and international visitors. Route locations could include places like Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hokkaido, Setouchi and Okinawa, with the aim of establishing a transportation network that creates new value through mobility in the sky.
Archer and Soracle will work closely with the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) to obtain the necessary permissions and certifications. Archer and JCAB have already begun discussions and Archer intends to formally apply for concurrent type certificate validation from JCAB in the near future.
