Shares of Archer Aviation Inc. (ACHR) surged 7.16% in after-hours trading on Monday following the release of the company's first-quarter earnings report. The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer posted a smaller-than-expected loss, beating analyst estimates and fueling investor optimism.

Archer reported a quarterly loss of $0.17 per share, significantly outperforming the analyst consensus estimate of a $0.28 per share loss. This represents a 39.29% beat and a substantial improvement from the $0.36 per share loss reported in the same period last year. The better-than-expected results demonstrate Archer's progress in managing costs and advancing its development programs.

The positive earnings surprise comes as Archer continues to make strides in the emerging urban air mobility sector. The company recently announced a partnership with Palantir to develop artificial intelligence technologies for next-generation aviation, further solidifying its position as a key player in the industry. Additionally, Archer is preparing for the launch of its piloted Midnight aircraft in the UAE later this year, marking a significant milestone in its commercialization efforts.