Plans to launch eVTOL air taxi services in the UK have received a boost from a £9.5 million ($11.3 million) government grant to demonstrate the feasibility of advanced air mobility (AAM). The investment in a consortium including Vertical Aerospace, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Atkins, Skyports, and air traffic management group NATS, as well as London Heathrow, Bristol, and London City airports came on Monday as part of the UK Research and Innovation agency’s ongoing Future Flight Challenge.
The new Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium will work to develop key technologies and infrastructure that will help accelerate the service entry of all-electric aircraft, like Vertical’s four-passenger VX4. The group also includes the Connected Places Catapult, Cranfield University, and the University of Warwick Manufacturing Group.
The consortium plans to conduct two test flights with Vertical’s VX4 eVTOL, which Virgin Atlantic will operate. One of those test flights will see the aircraft fly from Bristol Airport to an undisclosed airfield in southwest England. The VX4 will fly from London Heathrow Airport to a new “Living Lab” vertiport built and operated by Skyports at an undisclosed general aviation airport close to the UK capital. The team will also conduct a simulated VX4 flight from London City Airport to Bristol Airport to demonstrate urban connectivity, according to Vertical.
“Our roadmap sets out how air taxis could be in use in the UK by 2030, but a lot needs to occur for that to happen,” commented Future Flight Challenge director Gary Cutts. “By bringing technical developments from across the aviation industry together into one network, and undertaking early demonstration in the real world, the Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium could accelerate the timescale for AAM introduction by years. This project could revolutionize travel, not just in the UK but around the world.”
Bristol-based Vertical Aerospace has indicated it intends to start test flights with the first VX4 prototype later this year. Plans call for the two flights of Virgin Atlantic’s VX4 to take place in the spring of 2024, around the same time that the manufacturer expects to achieve type certification for the new aircraft, followed by service entry in 2025. It will fly to a range of more than 100 miles and a cruise speed of 202 mph.
On July 15, American Airlines reserved delivery slots and made pre-delivery payments for 50 of the VX4 vehicles. Few of the many provisional sales agreements so far announced by eVTOL developers have involved the payment of deposits. In June 2021, the U.S. airline placed a conditional preorder of up to 250 of Vertical’s aircraft, with an option for an additional 100 units.
“Our partnership with Vertical is a great example of progress in our commitment to reducing carbon emissions throughout our airline and the industry,” said American Airlines CFO Derek Kerr. “We have made great strides in simplifying our fleet with newer and more fuel-efficient aircraft and are proud to take part in another step toward the development of advanced air mobility.”
Meanwhile, European business jet operator FlyingGroup has conditionally preordered up to 50 VX4 aircraft of its own. The contract represents Vertical’s first commercial agreement in the private aviation market.
Belgium-based FlyingGroup and Vertical have agreed to launch a joint working group to explore possible applications for the VX4 in FlyingGroup’s fleet. The two companies are also discussing the terms and conditions for a maintenance, repair, and overhaul service center that would allow FlyingGroup to service its own VX4 fleet and support those operated by others.
“Going electric is the next big step in our sustainability plan,” said FlyingGroup founder Bernard van Milders. “Not only will we be expanding our fleet with the most advanced electric eVTOLs, we will be able to accommodate our clients and guests with the newest zero-carbon ‘door-to-door’ private and business aviation.”
Vertical says it now carries an order backlog of up to 1,400 VX4s between FlyingGroup, American Airlines, and its other customers, which include Virgin Atlantic, leasing group Avalon, and helicopter operator Bristow. The total value of the preorders amounts to about $5.6 billion, according to the manufacturer.