Vertical CEO: New Valo eVTOL Will Be ‘People’s Air Taxi’

CEO Stuart Simpson tells BBC Today that passenger flights will cost the ‘same as a cab.’

Jack Daleo

Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Vertical’s newly unveiled Valo has a projected range of 100 miles, with capacity for four passengers at launch and six passengers in the future. [Credit: Vertical Aerospace]

Key Takeaways:

Vertical Aerospace unveiled Valo, its new eVTOL aircraft, aiming for it to be the "people's air taxi" with costs comparable to a cab after an initial premium phase.
Valo is an improved, zero-emission successor to the VX4 prototype, featuring enhanced aerodynamics, redesigned components, and upgraded materials, targeting stringent "airliner-level safety certification."
The company seeks U.K. and EU certification by 2028 and plans to launch U.K. air taxi routes, such as London Canary Wharf to Heathrow, by 2029 to significantly reduce travel times.
Vertical has secured approximately 1,500 preorders from global partners like American Airlines and Bristow Group, and has raised most of the funding needed for certification, demonstrating market confidence.

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U.K. developer Vertical Aerospace this week unveiled its flagship electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Valo, which, according to CEO Stuart Simpson, will be the “people’s air taxi.”

A chief criticism of eVTOL aircraft is their anticipated cost, leading many to characterize electric air taxis as a service for the wealthy. But Simpson said that won’t be the case for Vertical’s flagship model.