Archer plans air taxi network to link San Francisco Bay Area

The big picture: Once-farfetched dreams of flying taxis are coming closer to reality, as manufacturers of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) begin to roll out more details of their operations.

• Joby Aviation, for example, said Thursday it had received Federal Aviation Administration authorization for its proprietary software operating system, including a new Uber-like app to book an air taxi.

Driving the news: Archer says it's partnering with developer Kilroy Realty to create a hub for the new Bay Area network at Kilroy Oyster Point, its 50-acre waterfront campus in south San Francisco.

• Together, they hope to build a vertiport that would give air taxis a convenient takeoff and landing site.
• It would connect with other planned vertiports in Napa, San Jose, Oakland and Livermore.

• Operations could begin as early as the end of 2025, Archer said.

Fun fact: The companies are also exploring plans for an Archer "sea portal'' — a waterfront mobility hub providing electric ferry service and eVTOL operations at Kilroy Oyster Point.

Reality check: At this point, the deal is just a "memorandum of understanding" to explore opportunities for such projects.

• As with many MOUs, it could fizzle.

The bottom line: If such flights can be booked affordably, it's hard not to see the benefit of a Bay Area air taxi network.