This article is based on an official press release from Vertical Aerospace and includes additional financial and technical context from industry data.

Vertical Aerospace Unveils “Valo”: The Production-Intent eVTOL Targeting 2028 Certification

Vertical Aerospace has officially unveiled “Valo,” its production-intent electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Formerly known during its development phase as the VX4 prototype, the newly branded aircraft represents a critical pivot for the UK-based company as it transitions from a prototype developer to a commercial aerospace manufacturer. According to the company’s announcement on December 10, 2025, Valo is designed to deliver zero-emissions inter-city and airport-to-city transportation.

The unveiling comes at a pivotal moment for the urban air mobility sector. Vertical Aerospace has set a firm target for Type Certification with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) by late 2028. This timeline aligns with the UK government’s recently published “eVTOL Delivery Model,” which anticipates commercial operations commencing within that window.

While the company touts a significant pre-order book and a capital-efficient partnership model, the transition to mass production brings intense scrutiny regarding funding and technical execution. Vertical Aerospace CEO Stuart Simpson emphasized the significance of this milestone in a statement:

“With the launch of Valo, Vertical moves from prototype developer to aerospace manufacturer. This is the aircraft that turns electric flight into a commercial reality.”

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace

Technical Specifications and Design Evolution

The Valo aircraft introduces several key design changes compared to previous iterations of the VX4 prototype. Most notably, the aircraft features a V-tail configuration, an aerodynamic update intended to reduce drag and weight. While this design choice improves efficiency, industry data suggests it introduces higher complexity regarding flight control stability during hover-to-cruise transitions.

Performance Metrics

According to the specifications released by Vertical Aerospace, Valo is engineered for high-frequency, short-haul travel. The aircraft utilizes a propulsion system consisting of eight electric motors: four tilt-rotors responsible for lift and cruise, and four fixed rotors dedicated to lift. Key performance figures include:

• Range: Approximately 100 miles (160 km).
• Top Speed: 150 mph (240 km/h).
• Capacity: 4 passengers plus 1 pilot.
• Noise Profile: Less than 50 dBA in cruise, significantly quieter than traditional helicopters.

Cabin and Payload Utility

Vertical Aerospace has highlighted the aircraft’s payload utility as a differentiator. The cabin is designed to accommodate four passengers with enough luggage space for six cabin bags and six checked bags. This specific design choice addresses a common logistical pain point in airport transfer services, a primary use case for the vehicle. The company also noted that the cabin is flexible and can be reconfigured to seat six passengers for lower-cost, high-density routes.

Strategic Context: The “Horizontal” Model

Unlike some of its United States-based competitors that pursue vertical integration, manufacturing the majority of components in-house, Vertical Aerospace employs a “horizontal integration” strategy. The company relies on a supply chain of Tier-1 aerospace partners to provide critical systems. This includes Honeywell for avionics, GKN for wing structures, and Leonardo for the fuselage.

This approach is intended to reduce research and development risks and capital expenditure by leveraging certified components from established manufacturers. However, it also creates dependency on external supply chains. The company claims this model supports its path to safety certification, aiming for the 10^-9 safety standard (one failure per billion flight hours), which is equivalent to the safety levels required of commercial airliners.

Order Book Status

Vertical Aerospace reports a pre-order book of approximately 1,500 aircraft, valued at an estimated $6 billion. Major customers listed by the company include American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Japan Airlines, and the lessor Avolon. American Airlines has notably committed to pre-delivery payments for its first 50 delivery slots, signaling a degree of confidence in the program.

AirPro News Analysis: Financial Headwinds and Competition

Financial Health vs. Certification Costs

While the technical unveiling of Valo is a positive step, Vertical Aerospace faces significant financial challenges compared to its “Big Four” rivals. Although the company recently secured approximately $50 million from Mudrick Capital and an additional $60 million via a public offering, the capital-intensive nature of aerospace certification requires sustained funding.

We note that the company has explicitly stated a need for further capital to survive through the 2028 certification target. The stock (NYSE: EVTL) has experienced volatility, reflecting market skepticism regarding the company’s cash runway into 2026. In contrast, US competitors like Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation benefit from deeper cash reserves backed by strategic investors such as Toyota and Stellantis, respectively.

Competitive Landscape

The Valo enters a crowded market. Its 100-mile range and 150 mph top speed place it in direct competition with Archer Aviation’s “Midnight” aircraft. However, Joby Aviation’s “S4” currently leads in raw performance metrics with a higher top speed of 200 mph. Vertical’s specific focus on luggage capacity and the horizontal partnership model may offer a unique value proposition for operators looking to minimize maintenance overheads, provided the company can navigate the “valley of death” between prototype and certified product.

Domhnal Slattery, Chairman of Vertical Aerospace, remains optimistic about the aircraft’s position in the global market:

“Valo sets a new standard… bigger, safer, and more capable. It is a clear sign of the UK’s leadership in aerospace.”

Domhnal Slattery, Chairman

Sources

Sources: Vertical Aerospace Press Release

This article is based on an official press release from Eve Air Mobility and SkyGrid.

Eve Air Mobility and SkyGrid Unveil Roadmap for Automated Air Traffic at Airspace Asia Pacific 2025

On December 9, 2025, amidst the backdrop of the Airspace Asia-Pacific conference in Hong Kong, two major players in the electric aviation sector released a unified vision for the future of urban skies. Eve Air Mobility, a subsidiary of Embraer, and SkyGrid, a Wisk Aero company backed by Boeing, jointly published a white paper titled “Enabling Advanced Air Mobility – Automated Traffic Management Services for Low-Altitude Operations.”

The document addresses one of the most persistent hurdles facing the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry: scalability. While manufacturers race to certify electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the infrastructure required to manage thousands of simultaneous low-altitude flights remains a complex regulatory and technical challenge. The new white paper proposes a “federated model” designed to alleviate the burden on human air traffic controllers through high levels of automation.

A Federated Approach to Air Traffic Management

According to the joint release, the current human-centric Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems are ill-equipped to handle the high density of operations projected for the AAM sector. The white paper argues that attempting to scale existing voice-based, manual control methods would create an immediate bottleneck for the industry.

Instead, Eve and SkyGrid propose a collaborative framework involving Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and commercial Third-Party Service Providers (TSPs). Under this model:

• ANSPs (State Regulators): Would retain ultimate authority over the airspace, setting the “rules of the road,” safety boundaries, and performance requirements.
• TSPs (Commercial Tech Providers): Companies like SkyGrid would operate the digital infrastructure, managing the day-to-day coordination of flights through automated data exchange, dynamic routing, and conformance monitoring.

This approach aims to harmonize operations across different regions, ensuring that an eVTOL operating in Hong Kong adheres to similar digital protocols as one in São Paulo or London. The white paper outlines specific “Novel Data Services” required to make this work, including real-time situational awareness and automated alerts if an aircraft deviates from its approved flight path.

“Our vision is to ensure that Advanced Air Mobility is not only possible, but scalable, safe and sustainable… Asia-Pacific, in particular, presents an extraordinary opportunity to lead this transformation.”

, Luiz Mauad, VP Customer Services at Eve Air Mobility

Focus on the Asia-Pacific Market

The decision to launch this roadmap in Hong Kong is strategic. The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is widely viewed as a critical launchpad for the AAM industry due to its high density of megacities and complex island geographies, which are ideal use cases for air taxis.

According to market data cited by Eve Air Mobility, the APAC region is projected to account for a significant portion of the global market. Eve’s Market Outlook estimates that by 2045, the region could host approximately 12,200 eVTOL aircraft, representing roughly 41% of the global fleet.

Nate Isbell, Head of Business Development at SkyGrid, emphasized that the technology to support this growth must be built now, rather than waiting for the aircraft to reach mass production.

“This white paper is not just a vision; it is an invitation for governments, ANSPs and industry leaders to join us in building the systems that will unlock Advanced Air Mobility at scale.”

, Nate Isbell, Head of Business Development at SkyGrid

Industry Context: Rivals Collaborating on Standards

The collaboration between Eve and SkyGrid represents a notable convergence of competing aerospace ecosystems. Eve is spun out of Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer, while SkyGrid is a subsidiary of Wisk Aero, which is fully owned by Boeing.

While Embraer and Boeing are traditional rivals in the commercial jet market, the nascent eVTOL sector requires unified standards to survive. If manufacturers were to build proprietary, incompatible traffic management systems, the airspace would likely become unmanageable for regulators. This white paper suggests a move toward interoperability, where “digital roads” are open to various aircraft types provided they can communicate with the TSP network.

This announcement follows a busy period for Eve Air Mobility. In late 2025, the company advanced its supply chain significantly, selecting BETA Technologies to supply electric pusher motors for its production aircraft, a deal reportedly worth up to $1 billion. Eve is currently in the final stages of testing its full-scale engineering prototype.

AirPro News Analysis

The publication of this white paper highlights a shift in the AAM narrative from “flying cars” to “digital infrastructure.” For years, the industry has faced a “chicken and egg” dilemma: regulators are hesitant to certify aircraft without a proven airspace management system, but developers struggle to build that system without certified aircraft to test it.

By proposing a federated model where commercial TSPs handle the heavy lifting of automation, Eve and SkyGrid are attempting to offer regulators a low-risk path forward. This model mimics the way internet service providers operate within government-regulated telecommunications frameworks, private companies handle the traffic, while the government sets the standards. For the Asia-Pacific region, where airspace is often heavily militarized or restricted, demonstrating that civilian eVTOLs can be managed automatically and precisely will be the key to unlocking the skies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Third-Party Service Provider (TSP) in aviation?

A TSP is a commercial entity that provides digital services to support air traffic management. In the context of drones and eVTOLs, TSPs handle tasks like flight planning, deconfliction, and tracking, relieving the burden on human air traffic controllers.

Why was this announced in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is hosting the Airspace Asia Pacific 2025 conference. The region is expected to be the largest market for eVTOLs, with projections suggesting it will hold 41% of the global fleet by 2045.

Are Eve and SkyGrid the same company?

No. Eve Air Mobility is an Embraer company, while SkyGrid is a subsidiary of Wisk Aero (owned by Boeing). Their collaboration signifies an industry-wide push for common standards.

Sources

• Eve Air Mobility & SkyGrid Press Release

This article is based on an official press release from Vertical Aerospace.

Vertical Aerospace Secures Syensqo as Key Material Partner for VX4 Industrialization

On December 8, 2025, Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) announced a definitive long-term partnership with Syensqo, a global supplier of advanced performance materials. The agreement designates Syensqo as a primary supplier of composite and adhesive materials for the VX4 electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This move marks a significant milestone in Vertical’s transition from research and development to full-scale industrialization.

According to the company’s announcement, the partnership ensures a secure Supply-Chain for the critical materials required to manufacture the VX4’s airframe structure. As Vertical Aerospace targets Certification in 2028, locking in Tier 1 suppliers for primary structures is essential to meeting production volume targets. Syensqo’s materials, which have already been utilized in Vertical’s prototype program, will now be integrated into the certified production models.

The collaboration focuses on lightweighting and durability, two critical performance metrics for Electric-Aviation. By utilizing Syensqo’s advanced composite systems, Vertical aims to maximize the aircraft’s range and payload capacity while ensuring the structure can withstand the high-cycle operations inherent to urban air mobility.

Strategic Supply Chain Integration

The agreement with Syensqo complements Vertical Aerospace’s existing industrial partnerships, including its collaboration with Aciturri for airframe assembly and Honeywell for Avionics and flight controls. By formalizing this supply contract, Vertical is effectively freezing the supply chain for the aircraft’s primary structure, a necessary step before entering mass production.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, emphasized the importance of this Partnerships in the company’s broader roadmap:

“We are bringing the VX4 to market alongside leading global partners, and deepening our successful partnership with Syensqo as our advanced-materials supplier is a vital step in that journey.”

Syensqo, a company spun off from Solvay in 2023, brings extensive aerospace pedigree to the program. The company currently supplies materials for major commercial airliners and defense programs. Rodrigo Elizondo, President of Syensqo Composite Materials, noted in the press release that their technologies are specifically designed to meet the rigorous certification standards required for next-generation air mobility vehicles.

VX4 Program Status and Certification Timeline

This industrial announcement comes during a pivotal week for Vertical Aerospace. The company recently secured a “Permit to Fly” from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for Phase 4 testing. This phase is considered the most critical in the flight test campaign, as it involves the transition from vertical hover to wing-borne forward flight.

Upcoming Milestones

According to Vertical’s schedule, a full piloted transition flight is expected before the end of 2025. Furthermore, the company is set to unveil the final certification design of the VX4 on December 10, 2025, in London. This design will represent the configuration intended for commercial service.

The company has reiterated its target to achieve certification with the UK CAA by 2028, followed by validation from EASA and other global regulators. The commercial demand for the aircraft remains strong, with the company reporting approximately 1,500 conditional pre-orders from major operators including American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Japan Airlines.

AirPro News Analysis

From Prototype to Product: The formalization of the Syensqo deal signals that Vertical Aerospace is moving past the experimental phase. In the aerospace sector, the shift from “selecting materials” to “signing long-term supply agreements” is a key indicator of design maturity. It suggests that the material specifications for the VX4 are now largely fixed.

Financial and Industrial Context: With a cash runway extending into mid-2026 following a $60 million raise in July 2025, Vertical is under pressure to demonstrate tangible industrial progress. Securing a supply chain is as critical as flight testing; without guaranteed access to high-grade composites, mass production of an eVTOL fleet is impossible. This partnership reduces technical risk by ensuring that the materials used in certification testing are identical to those in the final commercial product.

Sources:
Vertical Aerospace Press Release (Dec 8, 2025)
Vertical Aerospace Official Updates