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

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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:

U.K. developer Vertical Aerospace unveiled its Valo eVTOL aircraft, positioned as the "people's air taxi" with anticipated costs comparable to a regular cab after an initial premium launch phase.
The Valo, an improved successor to the VX4 prototype, aims for airliner-level safety certification by 2028 from U.K. and EU aviation authorities, featuring enhanced aerodynamics and low noise operation.
Vertical plans to launch its U.K. air taxi network by 2029, connecting London's Canary Wharf to major airports, backed by approximately 1,500 preorders and strategic partnerships for infrastructure and operations.

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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.