On Wednesday, Canaccord Genuity maintained a Buy rating on Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: NYSE:ACHR) with a steady price target of $3.25. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted Archer Aviation its Part 135 Air Carrier & Operator Certificate, a significant regulatory milestone for the company. This certification allows Archer's air taxi operating segment, Archer Air, to commence commercial flight operations following established safety and procedural standards.
The Part 135 certificate was secured using a six-passenger seat, fixed-wing aircraft, which paves the way for Archer to refine its operational systems and procedures. This step is crucial for the eventual launch of its Midnight eVTOL (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft, pending the type certificate and manufacturing certificate for Archer's production facilities in Salinas, California, and Covington, Georgia.
Although the Part 135 certification is not as critical as the Midnight's type certification, it remains an essential component in Archer's journey toward the commercialization of its aircraft. With this achievement, Archer joins the ranks of eVTOL manufacturers that have received both a Part 135 Certificate and an airworthiness criteria from the FAA for a new aircraft design. The other company to have reached this status is Joby.
Archer was previously issued its airworthiness criteria for the Midnight on May 23. Canaccord Genuity views this as an important step for the company, keeping it competitive with Joby and aligned with its commercialization timeline.
Archer has set its sights on launching commercial operations in the United States, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates by 2026, following the anticipated issuance of a type certificate. The company is actively testing the Midnight prototype and expects to achieve a full transition of the tiltrotors from vertical to horizontal flight in the upcoming months.
In other recent news, Archer Aviation Inc. has made significant strides in its business operations. The company has obtained its Part 135 Air Carrier & Operator Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), positioning Archer to commence commercial operations. This achievement complements Archer's Part 145 certificate, equipping the company with necessary FAA endorsements to initiate air taxi services upon its Midnight aircraft's Type Certification.
Archer has also reported a robust first quarter in 2024, exceeding flight test goals for its flagship electric aircraft, Midnight. The company's liquidity remains strong at approximately $523 million, and it anticipates increased revenue recognition throughout the year.
In a strategic move, Archer announced a joint venture with KakaoMobility, a leading taxi-hailing and ridesharing platform in Korea. The partnership aims to integrate Archer's Midnight aircraft into Kakao T, providing air taxi flights to approximately 30 million app users starting in 2026. Following this announcement, Canaccord Genuity maintained a Buy rating on Archer Aviation.
These developments are part of Archer's ongoing collaboration with the FAA and its progress towards introducing innovative urban air mobility solutions. As Archer continues to advance in manufacturing and international partnerships, the company is moving closer to its goal of transforming urban transportation.
InvestingPro Insights
With the recent Part 135 Air Carrier & Operator Certificate granted to Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR), investors might be keen on the company's financial health and stock performance. According to InvestingPro, Archer Aviation holds more cash than debt, which could be a positive indicator of financial stability (InvestingPro Tip).
Moreover, the company's liquid assets exceed its short-term obligations, suggesting a solid short-term financial position (InvestingPro Tip). These factors are particularly relevant as the company ramps up its operations towards commercializing its eVTOL aircraft.
On the metrics side, Archer Aviation's market cap stands at $113.5 million, reflecting its current valuation in the market. Despite a notable 7.97% return over the last week, the stock has experienced significant volatility, with a price total return of -47.58% over the last six months (InvestingPro Data). Moreover, the stock price is currently at 46.13% of its 52-week high, trading at a previous close of $3.25, aligned with Canaccord Genuity's price target (InvestingPro Data).
For investors looking for deeper insights, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available that could guide investment decisions in the context of Archer Aviation's recent developments. To explore these tips and more, consider visiting Investing.com/pro/ACHR. Use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription.
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