Vertical Aerospace Secures Manufacturing Facilities and Updates Financial Outlook on Path to 2028 Certification

Vertical Aerospace, a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation, has announced the establishment of key manufacturing facilities to support the certification and early production of its VX4 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The company, which trades on the NYSE under the symbol EVTL, revealed these developments during its Capital Markets Day, highlighting a strategic expansion that includes an aircraft assembly site at Cotswold Airport and a battery production facility at Avonmouth.

The new aircraft assembly facility, adjacent to Vertical's existing Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport, will have the capacity to produce over 25 VX4 aircraft annually. This expansion brings Vertical's total footprint at Cotswold Airport to approximately 100,000 square feet. Simultaneously, the battery production facility at Avonmouth, located next to the company's Energy Centre, spans 30,000 square feet and will triple battery production capacity. This facility is designed to support production needs into 2030, increasing the total Energy Centre footprint to about 45,000 square feet. By locating these facilities alongside existing operations, Vertical aims to reduce integration risks, enhance efficiency, and ensure a seamless transition from prototype through certification and initial production.

Vertical Aerospace reaffirmed its plan to certify the all-electric VX4 by 2028, a milestone that requires $700 million in funding. The company attributes its confidence in this timeline to a focused OEM business model, lower operating costs compared to industry standards, efficient manufacturing plans, and clearer supplier cost projections. The collaborative approach of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in developing eVTOL certification safety standards further supports this timeline by front-loading the certification process and minimizing potential late-stage delays.

In an updated financial outlook, Vertical provided revised targets for 2030 and beyond, reflecting increased momentum and certainty in its plans. The company now projects cumulative deliveries of at least 175 aircraft by 2030, up from a previous guidance of 150. Manufacturing run-rates are expected to exceed 225 units annually by the fourth quarter of 2030, compared to the prior guidance of over 200 units, with plans to scale to 900 annual aircraft deliveries by 2035. Battery deliveries are forecasted to reach approximately 45,000 units in 2035. Financially, Vertical anticipates a consolidated gross margin of 20% in 2030, rising to around 40% by 2035, and positive operating cash flow of over $100 million in 2030, an improvement from earlier breakeven projections.

Technically, Vertical is on track to complete transition testing—the final stage of its piloted flight program—by the end of 2025. This testing will demonstrate the VX4's ability to shift between vertical lift and wingborne flight, a critical capability for operations from rooftops, vertiports, and heliports. The company also plans to begin hybrid-electric flight testing in 2026, further expanding the aircraft's range and mission flexibility. Completion of transition testing is viewed as a major technical milestone that de-risks the path to certification and revenue generation.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, emphasized the company's progress, stating that piloted flight tests, the hybrid-electric program, secured facilities, and improved cost visibility have significantly de-risked the plan and strengthened the financial outlook. With transition flight testing anticipated by year-end, Vertical has a clear path to certification and commercialization at scale. Additional details on the company's financial projections are available on Vertical's Investor Relations website.