This article is based on an official press release from Joby Aviation.

Joby Aviation Accelerates Production Goals with Acquisition of Major Ohio Facility

Joby Aviation has officially acquired a substantial manufacturing facility in Vandalia, Ohio, marking a critical step in the company’s efforts to scale electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft production. According to a company press release issued on January 7, 2026, the acquisition of the existing 700,000-square-foot building will allow Joby to bypass lengthy construction timelines associated with greenfield sites.

The facility, purchased for $61.5 million, is located at 1669 Capstone Way near Dayton International Airport. Joby Aviation states that this expansion is designed to support an aggressive production target of four aircraft per month by 2027. By securing a “spec” building that is already complete, the company expects to commence operations at the new site within the current year.

Rapid Expansion in the “Birthplace of Aviation”

The Vandalia facility represents a significant deepening of Joby’s commitment to Ohio. It complements the company’s existing operations at Dayton International Airport, where manufacturing of propeller blades began in October 2025. The new site is roughly the size of four Walmart Supercenters and will serve as a primary hub for aircraft assembly and manufacturing.

In a statement regarding the acquisition, Joby Aviation Founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt emphasized the strategic importance of the location:

“This site will not only support our near-term plan to double production, it can also serve as a base for significant future growth… The reindustrialization of Ohio has become central to Joby’s story.”

The move aligns with Joby’s broader “dual-site” manufacturing strategy, which pairs the scaling capabilities of the Ohio facilities with the company’s pilot production line in Marina, California. The California site is currently hiring for 24/7 operations to meet immediate development needs.

Investment and Incentives

Joby’s expansion in Ohio is backed by substantial financial commitments and government support. The company previously announced plans in September 2023 to invest up to $500 million and create 2,000 jobs in the region. This latest acquisition is a tangible step toward fulfilling those figures.

According to the provided reporting, the project is supported by a state and local incentive package valued at up to $325 million. This includes a $93 million Job Creation Tax Credit and a $110 million grant from JobsOhio. Local officials have praised the investment as a revitalization of the region’s aerospace heritage.

Jon Husted, a key Ohio official, noted the impact on the local workforce:

“Joby’s investment in Dayton, bringing thousands of good-paying blue-collar jobs back to Ohio, is an incredible testament to Ohio’s long history as a leader in aviation.”

AirPro News Analysis

Speed to Market Strategy: The decision to purchase an existing $61.5 million facility rather than building from the ground up is a calculated move to accelerate delivery timelines. In the race to certify and deliver eVTOL aircraft, infrastructure delays are a common bottleneck. AirPro News assesses that this acquisition likely shaves 12 to 18 months off Joby’s timeline to reach full-scale production capacity, directly supporting the 2027 volume targets.

The Toyota Factor: While the press release focuses on the real estate, the operational context involves Joby’s strategic alliance with Toyota. With a recent $250 million investment tranche from the automotive giant, Joby is positioned to implement automotive-grade manufacturing efficiencies in this new facility immediately. This partnership is critical for achieving the rate of four aircraft per month, a volume unprecedented in modern general aviation manufacturing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the new Joby Aviation facility located?
The facility is located at 1669 Capstone Way, Vandalia, Ohio, near the Dayton International Airport.

When will operations begin at the new site?
Joby Aviation expects operations to commence in 2026.

What is the production target supported by this facility?
The facility is intended to support a production rate of four eVTOL aircraft per month by 2027.

How much did Joby pay for the facility?
The acquisition price was reported as $61.5 million.

Sources: Joby Aviation

This article is based on official press releases from Alaska Airlines and Washington State University, as well as public announcements from the launch event.

Washington Leaders Launch Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator to Power PNW SAF Hub

On January 8, 2026, a coalition of government, industry, and academic leaders officially launched the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator (CSAA). Unveiled at the Boeing Future of Flight in Mukilteo, Washington, the initiative aims to establish the Pacific Northwest as a global leader in the production and deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

According to official announcements, the accelerator is backed by $20 million in initial funding. This capital includes $10 million from Washington State’s Climate Commitment Act funds and a matching $10 million contribution from an anonymous philanthropic donor. The coalition has set an ambitious target: to scale regional SAF production to 1 billion gallons annually by 2035.

A Public-Private Coalition

The initiative represents a broad partnership designed to bridge the gap between policy, technology, and commercial viability. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson championed the launch, positioning it as both an economic engine and a critical climate solution for the state.

The coalition features major stakeholders across multiple sectors:

• Aviation: Founding partners Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have committed to using SAF to meet net-zero goals. Boeing, which hosted the launch, is providing technical expertise regarding aircraft compatibility.
• Academia: Washington State University (WSU) will lead the research and development component of the initiative.
• Corporate Demand: Major corporate consumers of air cargo and travel, including Amazon and Microsoft, are involved to help aggregate demand.
• Government: In addition to the Governor’s office, the Port of Seattle and Snohomish County are key partners, with Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers serving as the CSAA Board Chair.

“We have all the pieces in place to ensure this once-in-a-generation economic opportunity is realized, and this accelerator will make that happen.”

, Governor Bob Ferguson, via official press release

Strategic Structure: Accelerator and Institute

To address the complex barriers facing the SAF market, the initiative is divided into two complementary arms: the Accelerator and the Institute.

The Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator (CSAA)

The CSAA focuses on market acceleration, financing, and policy advocacy. Its primary mission is to “de-risk” the industry for producers and investors. By harmonizing tax incentives and aggregating fuel demand from airlines and corporate partners, the Accelerator aims to create a stable market environment that encourages rapid scaling of production facilities.

The Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Institute (CSAI)

The Institute will handle the technical and scientific challenges of SAF adoption. It will operate a new Sustainable Aviation Fuel Research and Development Center based at Paine Field in Snohomish County. While a permanent facility is scheduled for completion by 2029, the center will open in a temporary commercial space in the coming months.

A key feature of the Institute will be the world’s first “SAF Repository.” This facility will function similarly to a seed bank, collecting, indexing, and distributing fuel samples to researchers globally to standardize testing and certification processes.

“For aviation to remain strong and resilient in the decades ahead, sustainability must be part of its future.”

, Elizabeth Cantwell, WSU President, via WSU News

Industry Context and Regional Projects

Sustainable Aviation Fuel is widely considered the most viable near-term solution for decarbonizing long-haul aviation. Made from feedstocks such as agricultural waste, used cooking oil, or captured carbon, SAF can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel. However, current supply accounts for less than 1% of global jet fuel usage, and it remains significantly more expensive than fossil-based alternatives.

The Pacific Northwest is viewed as an ideal “test bed” for solving these problems due to its access to renewable hydroelectric power, forestry and agricultural residues, and a deep aerospace talent pool.

The Accelerator aims to support existing regional projects, including:

• SkyNRG: A Dutch company planning a facility in Walla Walla, WA, to convert biogas into jet fuel.
• Twelve: A carbon-transformation company backed by Alaska Airlines, currently building a plant in Moses Lake, WA, to produce fuel from CO2.
• Montana Renewables: A producer in Great Falls, MT, which recently received a conditional loan guarantee from the Department of Energy to expand production serving the region.

“This is a systems issue that no one company can solve. You’ve got great companies… ready to use this fuel, but we have to make it available.”

, Guy Palumbo, Amazon Director of Public Policy, via launch event remarks

AirPro News Analysis

The launch of the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator marks a shift from individual corporate sustainability goals to a systemic regional strategy. While the target of 1 billion gallons by 2035 is aggressive, the bifurcation of the initiative into an “Accelerator” (finance/policy) and an “Institute” (R&D) suggests a mature understanding of the bottlenecks.

The primary challenge for the CSAA will be feedstock logistics. While the Pacific Northwest has abundant forestry and agricultural waste, the infrastructure to collect, transport, and process these materials at a scale capable of producing 1 billion gallons does not yet exist. Furthermore, the involvement of corporate giants like Amazon and Microsoft is critical; their willingness to pay a “green premium” for sustainable air cargo and travel could provide the demand certainty that producers need to secure financing for new plants.

Success will likely depend on how quickly the Institute can streamline the fuel certification process, which has historically been a slow hurdle for new SAF pathways.

Sources:

• Alaska Airlines Newsroom
• Washington State University News
• GeekWire
• Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator

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

Vertical Aerospace Bolsters Leadership Team to Drive ‘Valo’ Industrialization

Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL), a global pioneer in electric aviation, announced on January 8, 2026, the appointment of three senior executives to its leadership team. The move comes less than a week after the company unveiled its new commercial aircraft, the “Valo,” and signals a strategic pivot from research and development toward certification and mass production.

According to the company’s official announcement, the new appointments cover critical operational pillars: data and digital infrastructure, propulsion engineering, and human resources. These leadership changes are designed to support the company’s target of achieving Type Certification by 2028 and subsequent entry into commercial service.

New Leadership for a New Phase

Vertical Aerospace has recruited seasoned executives with backgrounds in global scaling and technical transformation. The appointments include Juan Carlos (“JC”) Sacristan as Chief Data & Information Officer (CDIO), Richard Moore as Vice President of Powertrain, and Ollie Roberts as Chief People Officer (CPO).

Juan Carlos Sacristan joins the company to oversee its long-term data, digital, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategies. His primary mandate is to construct a “digital backbone” that integrates disparate functions, from design and procurement to testing and manufacturing. Sacristan brings over two decades of experience, having previously held leadership roles at Abcam, Adidas, Nike, and GE Gas Engines.

Richard Moore will lead the specialized Powertrain engineering organization. With over 35 years of aeronautics experience, Moore is tasked with integrating mission-critical systems, including energy storage, battery management systems (BMS), and electric propulsion units (EPUs). His technical expertise is expected to be vital for the certification of the company’s electric aviation systems.

Ollie Roberts assumes the role of Chief People Officer, focusing on talent attraction, organizational design, and culture. Roberts, formerly of BMI Group and AB InBev, will lead the effort to build a workforce capable of supporting commercial-scale operations.

Strategic Context: The ‘Valo’ and Market Confidence

These appointments follow closely on the heels of Vertical Aerospace’s January 3, 2026, unveiling of the Valo, the successor to its VX4 prototype. The Valo features a redesigned airframe and updated propeller architecture, representing the configuration intended for commercial production.

The company’s shift toward industrialization has also drawn attention from the financial sector. On January 7, 2026, investment firm William Blair initiated coverage of Vertical Aerospace with an “Outperform” rating. Analysts cited the company’s strategic positioning and the specific design attributes of the Valo aircraft as key differentiators in the competitive eVTOL market.

Vertical Aerospace currently holds an order book of approximately 1,500 pre-orders from major customers, including American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL, and Bristow Group.

AirPro News Analysis

The appointment of a Chief Data & Information Officer with a specific mandate for a “digital backbone” is a significant indicator of Vertical’s maturity. In the aerospace sector, the “digital thread”, the continuous flow of data from a digital design to the physical part on the factory floor, is essential for regulatory compliance. By prioritizing this infrastructure now, Vertical is likely attempting to preempt the documentation and traceability bottlenecks that often delay certification programs.

Executive Commentary

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, emphasized that these hires are essential for the company’s next operational phase.

“As we move at pace toward certification, manufacturing and commercialisation, strengthening leadership across technology, core engineering disciplines and people positions us to scale effectively and deliver on our long-term ambitions. I’m delighted to kick off this transformational year with these top tier appointments.”

, Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace

The company continues to work with key industrial partners, including Honeywell for avionics and Syensqo for composite materials, as it progresses toward its 2028 certification goal.

Sources

• Vertical Aerospace Press Release (BusinessWire)