Aug 8 (Reuters) - Archer Aviation ( ACHR ) said on

Thursday it plans to launch an air mobility network in Los

Angeles, with operations beginning as early as 2026.

The planned network in one of the most congested cities of

the United States will allow passengers to go to a nearby

vertiport, or vertical take-off and landing location, and then

fly 10 to 20 minutes in Archer's Midnight aircraft to their

destination of choice within the network.

Archer's Midnight aircraft, which has not yet been certified

to carry pasengers, can fly at speeds upto 150 mph and is

designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers along with

carry-on luggage.

"LA is known for its horrendous traffic - our goal is to

offer a safer, faster and more sustainable alternative travel

option," Archer CEO Adam Goldstein said.

Setting up charging, takoff and landing infrastructure is

one of the biggest challenges the electric vertical take-off and

landing (eVTOL) industry faces.

The San Jose, California-based company did not disclose the

size of investment for the planned Los Angeles project.

The company has planned take-off and landing points at key

locations such as Los Angeles International Airport, Long Beach

and the University of California.

Archer said it is also coordinating with the Los Angeles

Rams for potential exclusive vertiports at Woodland Hills and at

Hollywood Park.

In June, the company announced plans to establish air

mobility network connecting five locations across the San

Fransico Bay Area.