ACHR Stock on Watch as Archer Aviation Nears First Midnight Aircraft Delivery

Archer Aviation (ACHR) has spent the past few years painting a bold vision of the future. Its Midnight aircraft—an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi—has garnered headlines, attracted big-name investors, and secured government partnerships. But 2025 was always meant to be more than a buzzword year. It was the one where the aircraft would stop existing only in test flights and PowerPoints and start landing with paying customers, specifically with Abu Dhabi Aviation.

That promise still technically stands. Archer said initial deliveries of the Midnight would happen this year. The company’s new Georgia manufacturing facility has been completed, and the groundwork for production appears to be in motion. Stellantis (STLA), one of Archer’s key backers, is lined up to co-manufacture the aircraft. Cash isn’t the issue either, with over $1 billion in the bank following its most recent funding round. All the parts are there.

Moving From Testing to Production

What’s less clear is whether they’re coming together fast enough. We’re almost halfway through 2025, and Archer has been relatively quiet about its Abu Dhabi progress since the initial announcement. Flight testing, which began in late 2023, hasn’t yet transitioned into mass production. Certification with the FAA is progressing, and the company is simultaneously working with the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority. But these timelines are notoriously fluid, even for aerospace incumbents—let alone startups still burning hundreds of millions annually.

Other eVTOL players aren’t making it look easier. Joby Aviation (JOBY) recently pushed its own certification goals to 2026. Vertical Aerospace (EVTL) had to pause test flights due to battery pack issues. EHang (EH), despite its different regional footprints and designs, has also seen timelines stretch. The road from concept to commercial flight is crowded with optimistic projections and hard landings.

Delays Will Carry a Cost

If Archer misses its delivery target for Abu Dhabi, the immediate consequences may be minimal. It’s still early days in a nascent industry. But delays carry a cost, not just in dollars, but in narrative. Archer has positioned itself as the frontrunner, the well-capitalized leader with real partners and a real shot at getting airborne first. Timely delivery helps that story. Silence, less so.

None of this means the Midnight won’t fly. Archer remains one of the best-funded and most credible eVTOL players in the industry. But this year was supposed to mark a transition—from vision to execution. That transition is still in progress. Investors hoping to see Archer leave the prototype phase behind may want to keep their eyes on the calendar. Midnight is coming. Whether it arrives on time remains the real test.

Is Archer Aviation Stock a Good Buy?

Wall Street analysts think so, giving it a Strong Buy rating. The average ACHR stock price target is $12.20, implying a 11.42% upside.

See more ACHR analyst ratings