Key facts
- Vertical Aerospace plans to build a factory at Cotswold Airport in Gloucestershire.
- The company aims for its VX4 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to be certified for commercial use by 2028.
- Initial production at the Cotswold Airport facility is expected to be 25 aircraft per year.
- A new battery facility will be constructed in Avonmouth to support production.
- The company has a long-term goal of producing 900 aircraft annually by 2035.
- Vertical Aerospace has approximately 1,500 pre-orders for the VX4.
Vertical Aerospace, a company developing all-electric air taxis, is planning to establish a production facility at Cotswold Airport in Gloucestershire. The company aims to have its VX4 aircraft certified for commercial use by 2028, with initial production at the new factory set at 25 aircraft per year. This facility will be complemented by an expanded battery production capacity at its Avonmouth site.
The company is still evaluating potential locations for full-scale production, with a decision expected next year, as it plans to significantly ramp up output to 900 aircraft annually by 2035. Vertical Aerospace has already secured approximately 1,500 pre-orders for the VX4 from international customers, including major airlines.
CEO Stuart Simpson stated that the company has moved from "ambition to execution" and is on track to complete its piloted flight program by the end of the year, which he believes provides a clear path to certification and large-scale commercialization. The VX4 is designed for urban transport, capable of vertical take-off and landing like a helicopter, with a range of up to 100 miles and capacity for six passengers.