Archer Aviation To Take Over Socal’s Hawthorne Airport

Archer Aviation has signed agreements to take over the master lease for Hawthorne Airport (KHHR) near Los Angeles for $126 million in cash. According to Archer, which is developing the Midnight eVTOL aircraft, the airport will “serve as its operational hub for its planned L.A. air taxi network operations, including serving a key role in the LA28 Olympic Games.

"The company also plans to utilize the airport as an innovation testbed for the next-generation AI-powered aviation technologies that it is developing and planning to deploy with its airline and technology partners. This includes AI-powered air traffic and ground operations management, in addition to other key technologies.”

Archer had previously announced becoming the “exclusive air taxi partner” for the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 and Super Bowl LXI host committee partner. In Archer’s latest 10-Q filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, it stated: “As the Official Air-Taxi Provider of the LA28 Olympic Games and Team USA, we intend to build and operate our aircraft across a Los Angeles-based UAM network, with the goal of offering convenient access to key locations and events across the metropolitan area.”

In relation to the 2026 events, Archer has not said specifically whether or not it plans to fly passengers around Los Angeles. In an October press release, Archer wrote: Archer’s Midnight aircraft is designed to replace long, traffic-congested car trips with safe, quiet electric air taxi flights. With the Los Angeles region set to welcome millions of fans, athletes, and visitors for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Super Bowl LXI, Archer will use this moment to highlight how electric air taxis are poised to transform urban mobility.”

The FAA type certification program for the Midnight has reached completion of final airworthiness criteria, according to Archer, while the means of compliance are in progress, and for-credit flight testing is “preparing to begin.”

Government Shutdown Delays

In the 10-Q filing, Archer identified “risks related to our business” that include “…we are dependent upon engagement with the FAA and other U.S. government agencies to achieve certification of our eVTOL aircraft in the U.S., and any inability or unwillingness of such government agencies to engage with us could prevent us from achieving certification in a timely manner or at all. For example, on October 1, 2025, the U.S. government shut down and remains shut down as of the date of this filing. In the event of a prolonged shutdown, requirements to furlough employees in certain government agencies, including the FAA, could cause disruptions or delays to the certification process.”

The company added, “Although we plan to develop Hawthorne Airport into our flagship Los Angeles hub, including for supporting our operations during the LA28 Olympic Games, we can provide no assurance that we will be able to obtain the required authorizations and certifications from the FAA and others prior to the LA28 Olympic Games.”

Owned by the City of Hawthorne, California, the airport consists of 80 acres and includes 190,000 sq ft of FBO terminal, office, and hangar space. The master lease has been held by Hawthorne Airport LLC, which has signed the agreement to sell its interest to Archer Aviation. The sellers include Hawthorne Airport LLC as well as 395 Park Place and Advanced Air, which are selling certain subleases to Archer.

While Archer will take over the Jet Center Los Angeles FBO and hangars, the $126 million acquisition price “does not include Archer’s rights to purchase a controlling stake in the fixed base operator at the airport, develop additional hangar space at the airport, the potential performance-based earnout to certain seller parties, or certain bank debt to be assumed.”

In the 10-Q filing, the company revealed that it holds an option to purchase 75% of Jet Center Los Angeles before Dec. 31, 2026 for $25 million. The 10-Q also showed that Archer will pay $20.4 million in installments for the “rights to have 395 Park Place develop additional hangar space at the Hawthorne Airport on Company’s behalf.”

Archer’s purchase of the Hawthorne Airport master lease, which will run to 2055, and the 395 Park Place and Advanced Air subleases is expected to close by the end of 2025.