Archer Aviation CEO on air taxi plans, defense spending and future of air travel

Financial Performance - Archer Aviation raised $850 million in a direct share offering [1] - Archer Aviation shares rose 4% following the direct share offering [1] Industry Trends & Regulatory Landscape - The US administration aims to maintain its leadership in aviation through the executive order [2] - The executive order facilitates the creation of a new category at the FAA for the first time in almost 60 years [2] - The industry is innovating on policy and regulatory aspects alongside engineering [2] - The new category of aircraft aims for safety, quiet operation, and lower costs [4][7] Company Strategy & Market Focus - Archer Aviation is targeting international launch in Abu Dhabi, UAE this year [9][10] - Archer Aviation plans to expand in the GCC region before returning to the US [10] - Archer Aviation is undergoing the FAA certification process [10] - Archer Aviation sees potential use cases beyond airport transfers, including defense applications [7][8]