Vertical Aerospace Expands Manufacturing Capacity and Updates Financial Targets for Electric Aircraft Production
Vertical Aerospace has secured manufacturing facilities and increased its production targets, signaling accelerated progress toward certifying its electric VX4 aircraft by 2028 and positioning the company to lead the emerging electric aviation market.
Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) announced significant manufacturing expansion plans and updated financial targets during its Capital Markets Day, demonstrating accelerated progress toward electric aircraft certification and production. The company secured its first manufacturing sites to support certification and early production, including aircraft assembly at an expanded Cotswold Airport facility with capacity for over 25 VX4 aircraft annually and battery production at an expanded Avonmouth site that triples battery production capacity. These facilities, located alongside existing operations, reduce integration risk and enable efficient scaling from prototype through certification.
The company reaffirmed its plan to certify the all-electric VX4 by 2028, requiring $700 million in funding to reach this milestone. Vertical benefits from a focused OEM business model, low operating costs relative to the industry, and efficient manufacturing plans. The collaborative approach of the UK Civil Aviation Authority and European Union Aviation Safety Agency on eVTOL certification safety standards front-loads the certification process and minimizes late-stage surprises, providing greater confidence in Vertical's timelines.
Vertical provided revised financial targets reflecting momentum over the past year and increased certainty around supplier and manufacturing plans. The company now projects at least 175 aircraft delivered cumulatively by 2030, up from prior guidance of 150, with manufacturing run-rate exceeding 225 units annually by Q4 2030. The company plans to scale to target annual aircraft deliveries of 900 in 2035, with consolidated gross margin reaching 20% in 2030 and approximately 40% by 2035. Operating cash flow is projected to exceed $100 million in 2030, improved from prior breakeven guidance.
The company remains on track to complete transition testing by the end of 2025, which will demonstrate the VX4's ability to shift between vertical lift and wingborne flight. This 20-second piloted maneuver represents a major technical milestone and key de-risking event on the path to certification. Additional materials and financial projections are available on Vertical's Investor Relations website. The company continues to progress site selection for full-rate production facilities, with final decisions expected in 2026 to meet subsequent manufacturing ramp-up requirements.