UK electric aircraft startup Vertical Aerospace has announced that it will launch the UK’s first electric air-taxi routes from Canary Wharf in 2029.
The company has partnered with Skysports Infrastructure and Bristow Group to roll out its air-taxi service.
At launch, the plan is for these electric flying taxis to run between Canary Wharf and Heathfrow, Gatwick, Cambridge, and Oxford.
This is the first phase of the project, which will focus on the highest-value mobility corridors in the country.
Vertical Aerospace said that using one of its flying electric taxis, the journey from Heathrow to Canary Wharf would be cut down from 60-90 minutes to just 12 minutes.
“Electric flight will transform how cities move, and London is one of the best places in the world to prove it,” said Vertical Aerospace CEO Stuart Simpson.
“With Skyports and Bristow, we have the aircraft, infrastructure, and operational strength to lead this market.”
“These plans show the commercial potential of services we aim to see operating following regulatory approval in 2028 and we look forward to bringing them to life with our partners,” he said.
The Valo eVTOL aircraft
Commuters using Vertical Aerospace’s service would ride in its Valo eVTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, which can fly up to 100 miles at up to 150mph, producing no operating emissions.
It features a flexible, premium cabin that can hold up to six passengers with their luggage stored in its hold, which boasts capacity for six cabin bags and six checked bags.
Eight liquid-cooled under-floor battery packs power the aircraft, capable of recharging for short journeys in just 12 minutes.
The aircraft also supports configurations outside of passenger transport, including emergency medical services, cargo transport, and defence.
Vertical Aerospace says the aircraft aims to achieve the same safety standards as modern commercial airliners, and it hopes to produce 175 aircraft by 2030.
The company said its Valo prototype is close to completing full piloted transition flight, when the aircraft shifts from vertical lift-off to forward flight.
Next, it will build seven certification aircraft in the UK for final testing with civil aviation authorities ahead of its targeted certification in 2028, after which the Valo will enter commercial service.
Leave a Reply