LONDON, Oct. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vertical
Aerospace ("Vertical"), a global aerospace and technology company
that is pioneering zero-emissions aviation, today announced an
agreement with Ferrovial, a leading global infrastructure operator,
to cooperate on creating a network of 25 vertiports across the
UK.
Vertiports are dedicated sites that enable the take-off, landing
and recharging of electric vertical take-off and landing ("eVTOL")
aircraft. Vertiports are expected to be integrated with other modes
of transport to offer efficient travel and increase connectivity to
cities and regions across the UK. Vertical will now work with
Ferrovial to locate and design a network of UK vertiports, which is
expected to allow Vertical's piloted four passenger aircraft, the
VA-X4, to operate from these sites for the proposed launch of its
UK services with Virgin Atlantic.
By enabling inter-city electric aviation in the UK, the VA-X4
hopes to cut travel times and open up new links across the UK.
Vertical's recent report: The Future of Advanced Aerial
Mobility [link], explains how passengers arriving at
Heathrow for example could take
the VA-X4 to hop to Cambridge from
the airport in just 28 minutes, compared with a 90-minute taxi or a
two-hour train journey.
Ferrovial will bring its operational capabilities, design
expertise and investment strength to building a compelling UK
network of vertiports. Ferrovial invests, develops and operates 33
airports around the world, including in the UK being a shareholder
of Heathrow, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports. Vertical also announced
this week, that it is collaborating with Heathrow to explore the launch of its services
from the airport from the mid-2020s.
Vertical's focus is the design, build, manufacture and
aftersales of its VA-X4. Vertical works closely with an ecosystem
of best-in-class partners and operators to give passengers the best
experience possible travelling in its aircraft at speeds up to
200mph, in near silence and at a cost at a small premium to a taxi.
Vertical is targeting highest global safety certification standards
for the VA-X4 in line with the CAA and EASA expected regulations,
equivalent to that a passenger jet. It expects to be certified by
2024.
The VA-X4's future operators include Virgin Atlantic, American
Airlines, JAL, Bristow Group, Gol, Marubeni and Iberojet, which
along with others have placed conditional pre-orders for the VA-X4
of up to 1,350 units for an estimated $5.4bn.
Stephen Fitzpatrick, CEO and
Founder of Vertical at Vertical, said "Our partnership with
Ferrovial is an important step forward in bringing the VA-X4 to the
skies. Creating the right infrastructure for zero emissions
aviation is a critical part in making Urban Air Mobility a reality.
I look forward to flying between Ferrovial's vertiports in the
VA-X4 in just a few years' time."
Kevin Cox, CEO of Ferrovial
Vertiports, said "The partnership between vertiports and eVTOLs
will provide high speed, affordable, emissions-free travel to
millions of people. This network will boost local economies with a
new model of regional connectivity."
About Vertical Aerospace
Vertical is
pioneering electric aviation. The company was founded in 2016 by
Stephen Fitzpatrick, an established
entrepreneur best known as the founder of the Ovo Group, a leading
energy group and Europe's largest
independent energy retailer. Over the past five years, Vertical has
focused on building the most experienced and senior team in the
eVTOL industry, who have over 1,700 combined years of engineering
experience, and have certified and supported over 30 different
civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems.
Vertical's top-tier partner ecosystem is expected to de-risk
operational execution and its pathway to certification, allow for a
lean cost structure and enable production at scale. Vertical has
received conditional pre-orders for a total of up to 1,350 aircraft
from American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow and Iberojet, which
includes conditional pre-order options from Virgin Atlantic and
Marubeni, and in doing so, is creating multiple potential near term
and actionable routes to market. In June
2021, Vertical announced a SPAC merger with Broadstone
Acquisition Corp (NYSE: BSN). Find out more here.
About Ferrovial
Ferrovial, a leading global
infrastructure operator, is committed to developing sustainable
solutions. It is a member of Spain's blue-chip IBEX 35 index and included
in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and FTSE4Good; all its
operations are conducted in compliance with the principles of the
UN Global Compact, which the company adopted in 2002.
About VA-X4 eVTOL Aircraft
The four passenger, one
pilot VA-X4 is projected to have speeds up to 200mph, a range over
100 miles, near silent when in flight, zero operating emissions and
low cost per passenger mile. The VA-X4 is expected to open up
advanced air mobility to a whole new range of passengers and
transform how we travel. Find out more:
www.vertical-aerospace.com
About Broadstone Acquisition Corp.
Broadstone
Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: BSN) was set up by serial entrepreneurs,
operators and investors, Hugh
Osmond, Edward Hawkes and
Marc Jonas. It was established to
combine with a UK/European business with a strong management team,
significant growth prospects, and the opportunity to become a
market leader in its sector. Broadstone's executive team has an
extensive track record in value creation. The combination of a
strong internal team, a network of external resources and the
experience of the management team enables Broadstone to support
rapid, substantial, and lasting growth.
For more information
Vertical Aerospace – UK/Europe - Nepean
Gavin Davis
- gdavis@nepean.co.uk
Samuel Emden
- semden@nepean.co.uk / +447816 459 904
Vertical Aerospace – USA -
FTI
Hamm Hooper & Kayt Pitts -
verticalaerospace@fticonsulting.com / +1 773 786 7286
Ferrovial
newsroom.ferrovial.com
Ferrovial UK & Europe
Paula
Lacruz – placruz@ferrovial.com / +3491 586 25 26 / + 34 626
12 91 00
Ferrovial North America
Mari
Pillar – mpillar@ferrovial.com / +1832 829 6591
Virgin Atlantic
press.office@fly.virgin.com / T:
01293 747373
Broadstone - Edelman
Iain Dey - Broadstone@Edelman.com / +44 7976
295906
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SOURCE Vertical Aerospace