U.K. Air Taxi Leader Delays Certification to 2029

Vertical Aerospace says updated timeline ‘reflects the rigour of certifying an entirely new class of aircraft.’

Jack Daleo

Monday, July 13, 2026 at 01:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Vertical Aerospace’s third and final VX4 air taxi prototype lifts off on its first flight on June 5, 2026. [Credit: Vertical Aerospace]

Key Takeaways:

Vertical Aerospace has delayed the certification and delivery of its Valo eVTOL air taxi to 2029, a year later than previously announced, citing the rigorous process of certifying a new aircraft class under established regulations.
The setback places Vertical behind U.S. competitors like Joby and Beta Aviation, who are further along in flight testing and securing early contracts, partly due to differences in regulatory environments.
Despite the delay, Vertical has secured significant financing, achieved its first piloted transition flight, and plans to open new production facilities while developing a hybrid-electric variant for potential earlier market entry.

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American Airlines and other carriers who placed conditional orders for U.K. manufacturer Vertical Aerospace’s Valo, an eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) air taxi, will not receive the aircraft until 2029 at the earliest.

Vertical—considered the U.K.’s leading air taxi developer by virtue of being one of the only firms conducting routine flight testing—said Monday in a business update that it “re-baselined” its certification program, through which it seeks concurrent Valo type certification from European and American regulators. The new timeline puts certification in 2029, a one-year slip from the 2028 target the company announced in late 2024.