The company announced on Tuesday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Future Flight Global (FFG), the startup that aims to operate eVTOL and other advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft. The MOU covers the planned sale of up to 116 air taxis.

The deal is worth up to $580 million, or about $5 million per aircraft.

“As our first private aviation partner, and with its deep connections in aviation and bold approach, FFG is positioned to become a new leader in modern aviation,” said Andrew Cummins, Director of Business Development at Archer.

FFG was founded by former executives of business jet operator Titan Aviation, including former CEO Karam Singh, who now serves as CEO of the AAM startup. Archer said FFG and Titan have a joint venture under which they will fly AAM aircraft worldwide, including in the US, Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Archer’s Midnight, a four-person, zero-emission aircraft, could be one of the first planes in the company’s fleet. The air taxi is designed for 10- to 20-minute flights over 20-50 km, with only a few minutes’ pay between flights.

Archer said Monday that the agreement with FFG brings Midnight’s total contingent backlog to nearly $6 billion, including a billion-dollar order from United Airlines for 100 aircraft.

FFG made an unspecified deposit as part of the letter of intent, which also sets out the terms of a $5 million upfront payment to be made after the agreement closes, contingent on the partners agreeing on a final order and forming a strategic operating alliance.

What is known is that FFG will operate a handful of routes within Archer’s planned air taxi network, which will include electric vertical takeoff and landing pads – or vertiports – at terminals on the Signature Aviation and Atlantic Aviation FBO networks. In addition, FFG will work with new infrastructure partners to lay the groundwork for service in other Archer markets, including potentially the United Arab Emirates and South Korea.

“To support these plans, Archer and FFG will work together on ecosystem development, infrastructure, regulatory engagement and demand generation,” Archer said.

FFG will use Midnight to offer on-demand flights to a range of private clients, including corporations, hotels, governments and high net worth individuals.

“Midnight’s versatility makes it well suited to different routes and mission profiles while delivering a premium experience and operational efficiency that is attractive to our enterprise customers,” said Singh.

Archer intends to launch home-to-airport air taxi routes with United in 2025 and Southwest Airlines in 2026. But the company also plans to offer other services such as business transportation and air tourism.

Last week, for example, the manufacturer announced that it is partnering with the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams to build exclusive vertiports near the Rams’ SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.