Archer Aviation has completed the initial phase of its acquisition of Hawthorne Airport in Los Angeles, securing control of the property’s master lease and subleases. This foundational step gives the electric air taxi company command of the 80-acre airport’s real estate, a key asset for its planned urban air mobility network.
The company envisions the airport, strategically located less than three miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), as its primary operational hub for the Los Angeles region. A central part of this plan includes playing a significant role in transportation during the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“This is an important milestone as we look to build out the future of air taxis right here in LA,” said Adam Goldstein, Archer’s Founder and CEO. “We are helping our great cities rethink and redefine transportation as we prepare for the next phase of modernization and growth in our country.”
Beyond its immediate utility for flight operations, Archer views the historic airport—originally built in the 1920s and also known as Jack Northrop Field—as a profitable enterprise with untapped potential. The company plans to use the site as an innovation testbed for next-generation, AI-powered aviation technologies. This includes developing advanced systems for air traffic and ground operations management in collaboration with its airline and technology partners.
The completed first phase involved acquiring the leasehold interests. Archer’s strategy includes a second phase, planned for next year, to acquire the airport’s Fixed Base Operation (FBO) and passenger terminal. This subsequent transaction would grant Archer full control of the airport’s day-to-day operations.
Positioned close to major venues like SoFi Stadium, The Forum, and Intuit Dome, Hawthorne Airport is poised to become a central node in Archer’s vision for connecting key points across the Los Angeles basin with quiet, electric air taxis.
