Vertical Aerospace to Launch Electric Air Taxi Routes in New York
In an effort to revolutionize urban and regional travel, Vertical Aerospace has announced plans to introduce electric air taxi routes in New York. The UK-based company is collaborating with the Bristow Group and Skyports Infrastructure to develop services connecting Manhattan with airports and other regional destinations.
The routes will be operated using Vertical’s highly-anticipated Valo eVTOL aircraft, which can travel up to 100 miles (160km) at speeds of 150mph (241km/h). The company aims to obtain certification for Valo in both the UK and US by 2028, which will allow for its entry into service in the US and globally.
As part of the announcement, Vertical unveiled the Valo aircraft to the public on Friday, January 23 at the Classic Car Club in Manhattan as part of a tour. This follows the aircraft’s initial debut in London last month, after years of successful testing with their VX4 prototype.
Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, expressed excitement about the US Valo tour, stating that it builds upon the momentum from their London unveiling and a year of strong execution in testing, partnerships, and certification. Simpson also believes that New York is the perfect location to explore the potential of electric aviation for both urban and regional travel in the US.
The planning for these routes is being guided by Bristow’s experience as a helicopter transportation provider and Skyports’ established infrastructure. This, along with New York’s density, congestion, and existing heliport network, make it an ideal environment for advanced air mobility services.
The proposed use cases for these routes include airport transfers between Manhattan’s Downtown Skyport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, as well as other regional airports. Additional routes being considered include event travel to New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, aerial sightseeing tours, weekend connections to East Hampton, and cross-town urban transfers between Manhattan heliports.
The Valo aircraft has been designed to meet the highest safety standards with zero operating emissions. The cabin can initially accommodate four seats, but can be expanded to six seats through a flexible design that was developed with input from airlines and operators.
Skyports will provide the ground infrastructure for these services. CEO Duncan Walker believes that exploring potential use cases around Downtown Skyport will demonstrate how their infrastructure can support a wide range of journeys as electric aviation continues to develop.
This USA tour will also serve as the first opportunity for American investors and partners to view the Valo aircraft at its full scale. Overall, Vertical Aerospace’s plans for electric air taxi routes in New York show great potential for the future of sustainable and efficient urban and regional travel.