Flying taxis could be built in UK as Vertical Aerospace in talks with Government

Flying taxi factories could be built in the UK as a manufacturer announced it is in advanced discussions with the Government on a support package.

Bristol-based Vertical Aerospace said the deal would involve up to £10m of additional funding, alongside other benefits such as “confirmed interest” from the Ministry of Defence.

This would bring the Government’s direct grant support awarded to the business to as much as £48m.

Vertical Aerospace is whittling down potential UK locations for where it will build its electric Valo aircraft and their batteries.

A final decision is expected by the end of the year.

Stuart Simpson, chief executive of Vertical Aerospace, described the announcement as “a major vote of confidence” from the UK Government in the company.

He went on: “The UK has backed us from the earliest stages of the programme, and today’s proposed support helps create a clear pathway from innovation to industrial scale-up.

“It means we will continue to create high-value jobs, strengthen Britain’s advanced manufacturing base, and build aircraft that will be exported to customers around the world.”

The Valo is expected to be the first new aircraft designed and built in the UK in more than three decades, according to Vertical Aerospace.

The company said it has received about 1,500 pre-orders.

It is hoped it will enter service in 2028, if regulatory requirements can be met.

Vertical Aerospace previously said planned destinations for its flying taxis departing from London’s Canary Wharf business district include Heathrow and Gatwick airports, as well as Cambridge, Oxford and Bicester.

Designed to fly up to 100 miles at speeds of up to 150mph, Valo is an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft expected to launch with a four-seat cabin, room for six cabin bags and six checked bags, panoramic windows, and a cockpit divider for privacy and safety.

The aircraft’s design allows expansion to six seats.

Vertical Aerospace is using a prototype to conduct Farnborough Airshow’s first public eVTOL demonstration flights this week.