FLYING TAXIS
VERTICAL AEROSPACE REACHES HOVER MILESTONE IN ELECTRIC FLYING TAXI DEVELOPMENT
Vertical Aerospace (VA), a Bristol- based company developing electric aircraft, has announced a significant achievement in its quest to create a viable “flying taxi.” The company successfully com- pleted piloted hover flight tests of its electric aircraft, the VX4, at Cotswold Airport in Gloucestershire. This accomplishment positions VA as only the second company globally to reach this stage of testing, which now progresses to low-speed manoeuvres including rolls and spot turns. “This is a fantastic achievement,” declared Stuart Simpson, VA’s chief executive. He envisions the initial commercial flights, slated for 2028, connecting airports with local business districts, trans- porting four passengers up to 100 miles. Simpson emphasised the potential of electric air taxis to
alleviate congestion in global megacities. Simon Davies, VA’s chief test pilot, described the VX4 as “unlike anything he’d flown before,” stating: “It’s so quiet you can hear the rumble of the tyres on the tarmac and other aircraft flying past.” Safety is a key consideration in the VX4’s design. David King, VA’s chief engineer, with 35 years in the helicopter industry, explained the advantage of the aircraft’s eight propellers: “Comparing it to a typical helicopter that has one
engine and one rotor system. If they have a failure, you’re going down, gravity is going to win. However, with eight, it provides a level of fault tolerance.” VA’s progress has been bolstered by substantial financial backing. In 2024, the company secured a £39m investment from US investor Mudrick Capital. A recent funding round generated an additional £70m, providing crucial capital for the continued development of the VX4.
“If you look at the financial side of things, the market is really backing this now,” Simpson said. Looking ahead, VA anticipates its electric air taxi service will cater to three primary markets: airport shuttles, sightseeing tours and travel between locations with “gaps in ground transportation,” citing the Manchester to Leeds route as a potential example.
LILIUM AIR TAXI DEVELOPER FILES FOR INSOLVENCY AGAIN AFTER FUNDING OPTIONS FAIL
Lilium, the Bavarian air taxi devel- oper, has filed for insolvency for a second time, saying it has failed to secure funding and casting doubt on its ability to fulfil orders. The company initially entered administration in October and said in a brief statement that: “funding options to secure Lilium’s future have not materialised in time”, forcing it to file for insolvency. “While talks about alternative solutions are still ongoing, the chance of restructuring right now is highly unlikely and therefore operations will be stopped.
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“[Given] the situation, this is deeply regretful for all employees and Lilium Aerospace thanks them for their resilience and dedication,” the statement added. Lilium has been developing eVTOL jets designed to take off, hover and land vertically, like a helicopter. It completed test flights of the world’s first electric flying taxi in 2017. The eVTOL market was hyped for its capabilities and support for achieving sustainability goals, but some makers have hit turbulence. It’s unclear what Lilium’s next steps are, or what the insolvency
means for agreements to supply jets. Last July, aviation conglom- erate, Saudia Group, signed an agreement with Lilium to buy 50 eVTOLs with an option to buy another 50 jets. Saudia expected to receive the first jets in 2026 which would have had cabin capacity for six passengers, plus luggage room. Lilium had touted the “trem- endous opportunities” in the Middle East, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council, where the development of megacities calls for ways to minimise traffic and slash carbon emissions.
MARCH 2025 PHTM
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