United Airlines has paid air-taxi developer Archer Aviation $10 million in a first instalment on its conditional order with the start-up, representing what the companies say is a “watershed moment” for the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) industry. “To receive a cash deposit is validation of Archer’s achievements to date, not only with flight testing and product development, but also a great signal of confidence in our roadmap to commercialisation,” Archer CE Adam Goldstein says on 10 August. In February 2021, United committed to purchase up to 200 of Archer’s in-development eVTOL vehicle, in a deal worth up to $1b. “This announcement marks a new important phase in our relationship with Archer, and our commitment to eVTOL technology,” says Michael Leskinen, president of United Airlines Ventures. “We are witnessing an inflection point where consumers, businesses, and policymakers are all aligned to prioritize technology that reduces the impact of climate change.” Leskinen adds that the Chicago-based airline believes that the aircraft “have the potential to both help achieve carbon-neutral travel and serve as an innovative new tool to change how United customers experience comfort, convenience, and efficiency”. Archer introduced its prototype aircraft, called Maker, last June, and the two-seater completed its maiden hover flight on 16 December. Last month, the company said it expects “by year end” to conduct flights during which the aircraft will transition to forward flight. <br/>
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Air New Zealand is to cut capacity over the next six months, as the airline confronts its highest levels of crew sickness in more than a decade. Air New Zealand says Thursday it will cut 1.5% from projected capacity for the period, meaning it would only be operating at around 90% pre-pandemic capacity. The capacity cuts are also expected to extend into the southern summer period, traditionally a peak travel period in Australia and New Zealand. The carrier has been restoring capacity across its network in recent months, after border restrictions eased around the world, as well as in New Zealand. However, the ramp-up is taking place “at a time when Covid and the flu continues to impact the aviation industry”, says airline chief Greg Foran. He adds: “While we did factor sickness into our ramp up plan, we’ve seen the highest rates of crew sickness in over a decade. We see these challenges continuing not just for crew, but for our whole operation, and so we’re making proactive changes to address them... We’re pulling out all the stops to minimise disruption and provide surety for our customers over the next six months. We have rehired or brought on more than 2,000 pilots, airport staff, cabin crew, contact centre and engineers, and we’re going as fast as we can with recruitment and training.” To help meet projected demand in the southern summer period, Air New Zealand says it is mulling leasing a crewed widebody aircraft for the year-end period. Says Foran: “[At] the moment we’re stretched to capacity and making sure our customers are able to travel is our top priority. The lease of an additional crewed aircraft may help us achieve that.”<br/>