Salinas, California Approves Archer Aviation Manufacturing Hub Agreement, Announces Four-City eVTOL Flight Test Corridor
The Salinas City Council approved a 10-year Through-the-Fence agreement with Archer Aviation on June 30, 2026, allowing the company to convert a former 500,000-sq-ft Coca-Cola facility into a manufacturing and testing hub. The city also announced a $7.5 million federal grant to establish an air corridor linking four airports across Salinas, Marina, Hollister, and Watsonville, with plans for a vertiport and charging infrastructure.
Highlights
- Salinas City Council approved a 10-year Through-the-Fence agreement with Archer Aviation on June 30, 2026, enabling eVTOL manufacturing and flight test operations at a former Coca-Cola facility.
- The former Coca-Cola plant covers 500,000 square feet and will become Archer Aviation's primary production and testing hub in California.
- A $7.5 million federal grant will fund a multi-city air corridor linking Salinas, Marina, Hollister, and Watsonville airports for Archer eVTOL flight testing.
- A vertiport and charging infrastructure are planned for Salinas to support future commercial eVTOL operations.
- The FAA-supported corridor will help Archer accumulate flight data and accelerate its type certification process.
Salinas, California Approves Archer Aviation Manufacturing Hub, Announces Four-City eVTOL Flight Test Corridor
The Salinas City Council formally approved a 10-year Through-the-Fence (TTF) agreement with Archer Aviation at its June 30, 2026 city council meeting, authorizing the company to convert a former Coca-Cola facility into a new manufacturing and testing hub.
Former Coca-Cola Plant to Become Archer's Manufacturing Center
The facility, spanning 500,000 square feet (approximately 46,000 square meters), will serve as Archer Aviation's primary production and testing base. A Through-the-Fence agreement is a common airport-adjacent land-use arrangement that allows operators to conduct flight operations directly from privately-owned land bordering an airport, without entering the airport's formal controlled area. This arrangement holds significant operational value for eVTOL aircraft ground operations and flight testing efficiency.
$7.5 Million Federal Grant Supports Four-City Air Corridor
Council members also announced that Archer Aviation will conduct flight test operations along a newly established air corridor with support from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The initiative is backed by $7.5 million in federal funding and will connect the following four airports:
- Salinas
- Marina
- Hollister
- Watsonville
The multi-city air corridor will provide Archer's eVTOL aircraft with a real-world flight testing environment, enabling the accumulation of flight data and advancing the FAA type certification process.
Vertiport and Charging Infrastructure Planned for Salinas
In addition to the flight test corridor, the plan includes the construction of a vertiport and supporting charging systems in Salinas, laying the groundwork for future commercial eVTOL operations.
Industry Significance
The agreement carries significant strategic weight for Archer Aviation's mass-production roadmap. Salinas's commitment, combined with FAA funding and a multi-city test corridor, signals that U.S. local governments and federal agencies are actively working to create the conditions necessary for the commercial rollout of the eVTOL air taxi industry.
Source: City of Salinas City Council Meeting Minutes, June 30, 2026
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