Rough day for eVTOLs… (UA has an agreement with Archer) https://www.flightglobal.com/archive/2026/03/united-ceo-kirby-sceptical-of-air-taxis-at-major-airports/ United CEO Kirby doubtful of air taxi operations at major airports A US airline chief is voicing concerns about the potential introduction of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into already-complex airspaces in major cities. United Airlines chief executive Scott Kirby opposes the addition of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at busy airports, citing safety concerns. “With everything in the airspace, the tragedy that happened in DC with the helicopter, I don’t think we need more rotor aircraft operating in crowded airspace,” he says at the airline’s media day in Los Angeles on 24 March. “Unless we can do it that’s 100% safe without impacting any operations on the field, I would be opposed to it — and I don’t think we can do it 100% safe without impacting operations on the field.” The tragedy Kirby references was the fatal January 2025 collision between a PSA Airlines CRJ700 and US Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington that killed 67 people. An Archer Aviation Midnight eVTOL sat mere steps away from where Kirby spoke, a symbol of the airline’s premium future. The aircraft was parked along with one United’s new Boeing 787-9s with Elevated interiors and new CRJ450 regional jet that will bring premium seats to the airline’s smallest destinations. United has a tentative commitment for up to 200 Midnight eVTOLs. An Archer spokesperson at the event declined to respond to Kirby’s statement and directed inquiries to the company’s headquarters. Kirby’s comments are a marked shift in opinion on eVTOLs. United was an early airline investor in the technology signing deals with Archer Aviation in 2021 and Embraer spin-out Eve a year later. The tentative commitments for hundreds of the four-seat aircraft were pitched as a way to link the airline’s hubs to nearby destinations. American Airlines has a similar agreement with Vertical Aerospace, while Delta Air Lines has a longstanding relationship with Joby Aviation. Southwest Airlines also has an agreement with Archer to explore air taxi operations around the California airports In 2025, Archer released a proposed eVTOL network with United in the New York area. Potential routes included flights from the city’s three main hubs — JFK, LaGuardia and Newark international airports — to multiple destinations in Manhattan. Kirby’s comments suggest he now opposes those proposed eVTOL routes. eVTOLs will “be great in all kinds of other situations,” he adds, citing existing helicopter routes away from major airports. Development of eVTOLs has progressed slower than many of the firms initially planned. When Archer and United first inked their deal, the entry-into-service target was 2024. That date is now expected in 2027 or 2028. Eve, Joby and Vertical face similar certification delays Michael Rurik Halaby, FRAeS |
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