Vertical Aerospace opens assembly center for certification and early production

Vertical Aerospace ($EVTL) opened a new assembly center at Cotswold Airport to build certification-conforming Valo aircraft and a hybrid-electric demonstrator, ahead of initial customer production. Supported by a £1.5 million investment, the facility adds 60,000 square feet and is designed to assemble more than 25 aircraft annually during the early-production phase.

The company expects to announce plans for a separate, higher-volume manufacturing site in the fourth quarter of 2026. The opening advances the transition from prototype construction toward industrial production, but it does not grant aircraft certification or establish that customer deliveries have begun. The center’s stated annual capacity describes a manufacturing design goal rather than the number of aircraft already completed.

Sources:

• Vertical Aerospace — assembly center opening, Business Wire release