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The City of Hawthorne announced on Nov. 12 that it is set to approve and enable Archer Aviation to assume a 75% leasehold interest over the Hawthorne Airport (HHR).
Archer plans to use HHR as an operational hub for its L.A. air taxi network as well as a test bed for AI-powered aviation technologies. Archer plans for HHR to serve a key role during the LA28 Olympic Games. The airport is located less than 3 miles from the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and is close to attractions such as Downtown L.A., SoFi Stadium and The Forum.
The city states that the airport will receive significant infrastructure investment, high-quality job creation and increased economic activity from the aviation industry through the partnership.
"The Hawthorne Municipal Airport has long been a cornerstone of our city's identity," said Mayor Alex Vargas. "This new partnership strengthens that legacy while positioning us for a future defined by innovation, sustainability, and opportunity. It's about ensuring that the benefits of new technology directly uplift the people and businesses of Hawthorne."
Residents near the airport have expressed concerns about Archer's presence and the lack of engagement with the community beforehand. The Hawthorne Quiet Skies coalition claims the city and airport controller have not made noise reduction, pollution control, or community protection a priority, even with some homes being only 100 ft from the runway. The coalition has questioned whether AI flight testing is safe so close to residential areas, given the lack of formal safety guarantees. It has also questioned how autonomous movement will affect local jobs or how Archer will react if noise rises to unacceptable levels.
"As we are rushing into this eVTOLs transportation revolution, there is significant public and governmental criticism that the FAA's noise control process is unprepared, outdated, untrustworthy, and ineffective in addressing community concerns," the coalition said in a statement. "The FAA and aviation industry have obfuscated and delayed for so long they've driven public trust into the ground. We're entering this new era completely unprepared and with no clear pathway to success. It doesn't have to be this way."
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A representative from Archer Aviation reached out to Quiet Skies on Nov. 11 and provided an overview of its plans. It promised to conduct future meetings in partnership with the coalition."Archer is now in touch with local residents and neighborhood associations," said Quiet Skies representative Alec Makie to Globalair.com. "They're meeting with groups to provide more information, and we're hopeful that collaboration continues, as there is a lot to learn from each other. The revolution in air travel could also use a revolution in how airports work with their neighbors."
Quiet Skies' goal is to improve nighttime operations and provide residents with noise and pollution mitigation similar to other airports in the area, such as the Van Nuys Airport (VNY) and the Long Beach Airport (LGB). It states that Archer should be given the chance to succeed as it brings innovation, jobs and opportunities to its communities while residents feel safe in their homes.