Vertical Aerospace has announced plans for electric air taxi routes in New York it, working with the Bristow Group and Skyports Infrastructure to develop services connecting Manhattan with airports and regional destinations.
The routes would use Vertical’s Valo eVTOL aircraft, which is designed to fly up to 100 miles (160km) at speeds of 150mph (241km/h). The UK-based company is targeting UK and US certification for Valo in 2028, which would enable entry into service in the USA and globally.
As part of the route announcement, Vertical displayed the Valo aircraft publicly on Friday, January 23 at the Classic Car Club in Manhattan as part of a tour.
The company revealed the Valo aircraft and proposed routes in London for the first time at an event in London last month, after several years of testing its VX4 prototype.
“The US Valo tour builds on the momentum from our London unveiling and a year of strong execution across testing, partnerships and certification,” said Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace. “New York is a natural next step to explore how electric aviation could support urban and regional travel in the US.”
New York routes
The planning work is informed by Bristow’s experience as a helicopter transportation provider and Skyports’ established infrastructure. New York’s density, congestion, and existing heliport network make it a suitable environment for advanced air mobility services, said the company.
Proposed use cases include airport transfers connecting the existing Downtown Skyport in Manhattan with John F. Kennedy International Airport and other regional airports. Additional routes under consideration 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.
“Exploring future eVTOL use cases in a market like New York allows us to apply that operational experience to new, sustainable aviation concepts as the technology and regulatory environment continue to mature,” said Chris Bradshaw, president and CEO of Bristow Group.
Valo Design
The Valo aircraft is designed to meet airliner-level safety standards with zero operating emissions. The cabin will launch with four seats and can expand to six seats through a flexible design developed with airline and operator input.
Skyports would provide ground infrastructure for the planned services. “Evaluating potential use cases around Downtown Skyport helps demonstrate how our infrastructure could support a wide range of journeys as electric aviation develops,” said Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports Infrastructure.
The USA tour marks the first opportunity for American investors and partners to view the Valo aircraft at full scale.
