By Jorge Casuso

May 20, 2025 -- Santa Monica Airport is part of a planned "electric air taxi" network that will shuttle "VIPs, fans and stakeholders" during the LA 28 Olympic Games, Archer Aviation announced last week.

The San Jose-based company, which was selected Thursday by the Olympic Committee as the official air taxi provider, plans to introduce its Midnight eVTOL (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft for the games.

Archer's plan calls for creating "critical visitor hubs" that include LAX, Hollywood, Orange County and Santa Monica and install vertiports at key venues that include the Stadium in Inglewood and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The eVTOL aircraft, which is designed to carry up to four passengers and produces less noise and emissions than a traditional helicopter, would also provide "support for emergency services and security," company officials said.

“We want to transform the way people get around Los Angeles and leave a legacy that shapes the future of transportation in America," Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer Aviation said in a statement.

Thursday's announcement comes after Archer released an “LA Network Map” that names Santa Monica as a key vertiport in its upcoming commercial rollout for major sporting events as early as 2026, according to an ad hoc committee established by the City's Airport Commission to study the eVTOL issue.

Archer is not alone. In January, Atlantic Aviation proposed a project to "electrify (its) existing leasehold" at the airport that includes electric aircraft charging stations with "capacity to charge a growing fleet of Electric Ground Support Equipment (GSE)."

"This project is aligned with Atlantic’s broader efforts around electrification and supporting customers that engage with sustainable technologies -– both on the ground and in the air," according to a proposal sent to the Public Works Department on January 24.

The moves by Archer and Atlantic have concerned members of the Airport Commission's ad hoc committee, as well as advocates of creating a "great park" when the airport closes at the end of 2028 under an agreement with the FAA.

They fear a push to build housing on a portion of the site, which would require a ballot measure, could open the door to aviation interests that could place a rival measure to keep the airport open ("Airport Rift Widens, Raises Fears," May 7, 2025).