AI might currently be the market’s most dominant theme, but it’s not the only one with a futuristic narrative. Another segment making headway is that of eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft, or what can more commonly be referred to as “flying taxis.”
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Explore ARCX for 2X leverage on ACHRThese aircraft run on electric power and are designed to provide a faster, more efficient way to travel. They are viewed as a next-generation transportation solution because of their safety features and wide range of benefits. eVTOL aircraft can significantly cut travel times, improve access to remote areas by offering safer transportation options, and support sustainability efforts by reducing carbon emissions thanks to their environmentally friendly design.
This is a segment expected to show some healthy growth over the coming years. According to Precedence Research, the global eVTOL aircraft market was valued at $3.31 billion in 2025 and increased to $5.13 billion in 2026. It is projected to reach approximately $216.02 billion by 2035, reflecting a CAGR of 51.87% from 2026 to 2035. Growth in the market is expected to be supported by the increasing deployment of urban air mobility aircraft.
It’s no wonder, then, that billionaire investor Ken Griffin is showing an interest in the segment. Griffin is the founder and CEO of Citadel, a hedge fund that oversees about $68 billion in assets, and he recently disclosed stakes in two prominent eVTOL makers – Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation.
It’s no wonder, then, that billionaire investor Ken Griffin is showing an interest in the segment. Griffin is the founder and CEO of Citadel, a hedge fund that oversees ~$68 billion in assets, and he recently added to the fund’s positions in two prominent eVTOL makers – Archer Aviation (NYSE:ACHR) and Joby Aviation (NYSE:JOBY). Let’s take a look at what exactly is piquing his interest.
Archer Aviation
Flying taxis sound like something out of a science fiction movie, and while the industry is causing plenty of excitement, as you have probably noticed, there are obviously no eVTOLs yet zooming across city skies. However, that is the ultimate goal Archer Aviation is trying to achieve.
The company is working towards certification of its Midnight aircraft, but that is no easy task. In a recent update, Archer said it became the first eVTOL manufacturer to complete Phase 3 of the FAA’s four-stage Type Certification process. In February, the FAA accepted all of the Midnight aircraft’s Means of Compliance (MoC) verification documents, clearing the way for Transition to Issue and Approval (TIA) testing once the remaining issue papers are resolved. Archer has now entered Phase 4, which focuses on confirming compliance with FAA airworthiness standards through formal testing and analysis.
Meanwhile, the company has been building partnerships with some very prominent names. Archer has teamed up with Nvidia to incorporate the NVIDIA IGX Thor platform into its Midnight aircraft. The partnership represents a major step toward enhancing aviation AI capabilities, strengthening flight safety, and advancing autonomous flight control technology.
Archer is also collaborating with Starlink to equip its air taxis with stable, high-speed connectivity. Under the agreement, Archer will integrate Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite internet system into its Midnight aircraft and begin testing it. The system is intended to deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity to support operations during Midnight’s air taxi flights.
Additionally, the company has formed a partnership with Palantir, with the pair using the big data AI company’s Foundry and Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) to develop software for future air traffic control systems and route planning.
All of this activity must have caught the eye of Ken Griffin. During Q1, his Citadel firm bought 717,457 shares, increasing its stake by 33% to 2,924,048 shares. The position is currently worth about $12.3 million.
H.C. Wainwright analyst Amit Dayal also likes what he’s seeing from Archer and believes the company is making solid progress.
“The company is continuing to make progress on all three fronts of civil aviation, defense, and AI software efforts and we believe this should build meaningful operating leverage in the business model once the company begins its commercial ramp,” Dayal explained. “We believe the company is already leaning into AI readiness through partnerships with NVIDIA, Starlink, and Palantir. We believe the solid balance sheet with $1.8B of liquidity should provide ample runway through 2027. Overall, we believe the company is de-risking on multiple fronts simultaneously including certification, eIPP-enabled U.S. operations, defense program awards, and AI infrastructure partnerships —and the next 6-9 months should remain a news-heavy period.”
To this end, Dayal rates ACHR stock a Buy, while his $18 price target suggests shares will gain a hefty 205% in the year ahead. (To watch Dayal’s track record, click here)
Elsewhere on the Street, the stock claims an additional 4 Buys and 2 Holds, for a Moderate Buy consensus rating. Going by the $12.33 average price target, a year from now, shares will be changing hands for a ~109% premium. (See ACHR stock forecast)
Joby Aviation
Next up is Joby Aviation, another leading name in the space, and the one broadly considered the furthest along in the FAA certification process.
The company has entered Stage 5 of the FAA Type Certification process, where FAA-conforming aircraft are being flight-tested in preparation for Type Inspection Authorization (TIA), the final step before type certification is granted.
Joby Aviation is also a selected participant in the U.S. eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). This is a U.S. Department of Transportation and FAA-led, government-backed public-private initiative designed to test and evaluate real-world eVTOL operations in advance of full commercial deployment. Through the program, Joby is involved in multi-state demonstration projects across regions such as Florida, Texas, and New York/New Jersey, where it is conducting early operational testing of air taxi services in coordination with federal and local authorities. These activities focus on use cases like airport connectivity and urban air mobility routes, supporting data collection, infrastructure validation, and airspace integration alongside the FAA Type Certification process.
In addition to flying its first FAA-conforming aircraft for TIA in Q1, the company also completed several recent demonstration flights in the Bay Area and New York. During these flights, it successfully landed at two major international airports, Oakland and JFK.
So, plenty to get behind here too, which Griffin has recently done in a big way. Citadel upped its JOBY stake by 245% in Q1, with the purchase of 1,379,817 shares. These holdings now carry a value of $13.8 million.
We’ll check in again with H.C. Wainwright’s Dayal, who sees much to like about Joby right now.
“We believe Joby continues to establish its lead in the eVTOL market with commercialization efforts picking up speed. Management is executing on multiple fronts ranging from public flight demos, completing the final stages of certification and testing, vertiport development, airspace integration, and manufacturing ramp,” the analyst said. “We believe the story is once again entering news and catalyst heavy period over the next 6-9 months positioning the stock to resume its next leg higher after a period of consolidation.”
Conveying his confidence, Dayal assigns JOBY a Buy rating, backed by an $18 price target, a figure that points toward 12-month returns of 80%.
The Street’s overall take is more muted. Based on a total of 4 Holds, 3 Sells and 2 Buys, the stock claims a Hold (i.e., Neutral) consensus view. The forecast calls for a one-year share appreciation of ~18%, considering the average price target stands at $11.79. (See JOBY stock forecast)
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analyst. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.