![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_The-first-British-flying-taxi-has-taken-to-the-skies-over-the-Cotswolds.jpg\")
The UK’s first flying taxi has completed its first cross-country flight, hitting 150mph.(Image: Adam Gasson\/ Vertical Aerospace)<\/p>\nVertical Aerospace is planning to build a new factory at Cotswold Airport<\/p>\n
15:30, 23 Sep 2025Updated 15:32, 23 Sep 2025<\/p>\n
The UK’s first flying taxi has completed its first cross-country flight, hitting 150mph.(Image: Adam Gasson\/ Vertical Aerospace)<\/p>\n
A Bristol-headquartered company developing an all-electric ‘flying taxi’ says the aircraft could be ready for commercial use by 2028 if it secures $700m in funding.<\/p>\n
Vertical Aerospace is planning to build a new factory at Cotswold Airport, near Kemble in Gloucestershire, next to its existing flight test centre, where it hopes to produce around 25 so-called VX4 aircraft a year.<\/p>\n
It will also expand battery production at its site in Avonmouth<\/a>, near Bristol, by building a new 30,000 sq ft facility which it says will provide capacity until 2030.<\/p>\n Vertical Aerospace was established by OVO Energy founder Stephen Fitzpatrick in 2016 and is working towards the commercial deployment of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs).<\/p>\n The company’s VX4 model takes off vertically, like a helicopter, so it can be operated in city centres, and the business claims it will be able to transport passengers from Battersea to Heathrow in just 12 minutes.<\/p>\n The firm is still looking for a UK site for full-scale production, with a decision expected next year. Stuart Simpson, chief executive of Vertical Aerospace, said: “Since launching Flightpath 2030, we’ve moved from ambition to execution.<\/p>\n “Piloted flight tests, the hybrid-electric programme, secured facilities, and greater cost visibility have meaningfully de-risked our plan and strengthened our financial outlook.<\/p>\n “With the final technical proof point – transition flight – anticipated by year-end, we now have a clear, efficient path to certification and commercialisation at scale, positioning Vertical to lead the next era of electric flight.”<\/p>\n Vertical already has around 1,500 pre-orders of the VX4, with customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL, and Bristow. It expects to deliver at least 175 aircraft cumulatively by 2030 – up from previous guidance of at least 150 – with plans to produce 900 a year by 2035.<\/p>\n The company says it is on track to complete transition testing – the final stage of its piloted flight programme – by the end of the year and announced it will begin hybrid-electric flight testing in 2026.<\/p>\n Vertical Aerospace first unveiled its designs for a ‘flying taxi’ in 2020 and the following year confirmed a merger with special purpose acquisition company Broadstone Acquisition Corp in a deal valuing the company at nearly $2bn (\u00a31.4bn).<\/p>\n In May, the company made European aviation history by successfully piloting a VX4 prototype flight across the UK countryside. Like this story? Why not sign up to get the latest South West business news straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n Join Bristol Live\u2019s WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone<\/strong><\/p>\n Bristol Live<\/a> is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.<\/p>\n Through the app, we\u2019ll send the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.<\/p>\n To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select \u2018Join Community\u2019.<\/a><\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live<\/a> team.<\/p>\n We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose \u2018Exit group\u2019.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0_WhatsApp-Phone.jpg\")
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