Vertical Aerospace Announced its First UK Manufacturing Sites & Certification Updates During its NY Capital Markets Day Yesterday (Sept. 18)

(London, U.K. and New York, USA) U.K.-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) held its Capital Markets Day yesterday (Sept. 18) in New York City; at the event, Vertical announced its first manufacturing sites to support certification – at its expanded Cotswold Airport site – and early aircraft production – at its expanded Avonmouth site – and reaffirmed plans to certify the all-electric VX4 by 2028.

Photo of a prototype of Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft courtesy of Vertical Aerospace.

Per yesterday’s press release from Vertical, the company requires an additional $700 million in funding to reach its targeted 2028 certification milestone.

As for specifics related to Vertical’s initial production facilities, according to the company:

• Vertical’s new Cotswold Airport facility, adjacent to its existing Flight Test Centre. will have capacity to produce 25+ VX4 aircraft annually and brings Vertical’s total footprint at Cotswold Airport to ~100,000 sq ft.
• Adjacent to Vertical’s existing Energy Centre, the company’s new 30,000 sq ft battery production facility at its expanded Avonmouth site will triple its capacity for battery production. This facility will provide production capacity into 2030 and brings Vertical’s total Energy Centre footprint to ~45,000 sq ft., according to the company.

Vertical also affirmed that it is on track to complete transition testing, the final stage of its piloted flight program, by the end of 2025, and will begin hybrid-electric flight testing in 2026.

At yesterday’s NYC event, the company also provided improved financial and operational targets for 2030 and beyond, which reflected momentum over the past year, integration of a hybrid-electric business plan and increased certainty around supplier and manufacturing plans, per Vertical.

Vertical Aerospace CEO Stuart Simpson said: “Since launching Flightpath 2030, we’ve moved from ambition to execution. Piloted flight tests, the hybrid-electric programme, secured facilities, and greater cost visibility have meaningfully de-risked our plan and strengthened our financial outlook. With the final technical proof point – transition flight – anticipated by year-end, we now have a clear, efficient path to certification and commercialization at scale, positioning Vertical to lead the next era of electric flight.”