U.K. Air Taxi Leader Vertical Aerospace Secures $800M Funding Package

Company believes the financing will be enough to get it through certification, targeted for 2028.

Jack Daleo

Monday, April 20, 2026 at 12:52 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Funding will support certification of Vertical’s flagship Valo air taxi, for which routes have been announced in South Florida and New York. [Credit: Vertical Aerospace]

Key Takeaways:

UK-based Vertical Aerospace secured up to $800 million in funding, bringing its total to $850 million, which is expected to cover certification costs for its Valo eVTOL aircraft by 2028.
The Valo aircraft aims to surpass U.S. competitors in passenger capacity (up to six seats) and payload (1,200 pounds), positioning it as a class leader.
Despite having less overall capital than its American rivals, Vertical Aerospace's lower annual cash burn rate puts it on track to complete certification with its current funding, unlike U.S. companies that anticipate needing more.

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American eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) air taxi developers such as Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, Beta Technologies, and Boeing’s Wisk Aero face a legitimate competitor from across the Atlantic.

U.K. air taxi leader Vertical Aerospace—which last week entered rarefied air by achieving a crucial flight test milestone—said Monday that it finalized a funding package totaling up to $800 million. The company said the money will be enough to complete testing and certification for its flagship Valo aircraft by 2028.