Vertical Aerospace, Skyports Infrastructure, and Bristow Group have partnered to launch the United Kingdom’s first electric air-taxi routes.
The initiative, targeted for the first quarter of 2029, plans to connect Canary Wharf with major transport hubs including Heathrow and Gatwick airports, as well as Cambridge and Oxford. The service aims to significantly reduce travel times, with a transfer between Canary Wharf and Heathrow projected to take 12 minutes by air, compared to 60–90 minutes via traditional ground transport.
This collaboration combines Vertical’s electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft with Skyports’ infrastructure, specifically the Skyports London Heliport and Bicester Vertiport. Bristow Group will provide operational support, leveraging its global expertise and UK Air Operator Certificates (AOCs). The partners intend to create a scalable ecosystem for eVTOL services, focusing initially on high-value mobility corridors.
Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said, “Electric flight will transform how cities move, and London is one of the best places in the world to prove it. With Skyports and Bristow, we have the aircraft, infrastructure and operational strength to lead this market. These plans show the commercial potential of services we aim to see operating following regulatory approval in 2028 and we look forward to bringing them to life with our partners.”
The announcement coincides with the unveiling of Vertical’s new aircraft, Valo, at The Pelligon in Canary Wharf. The Valo is designed to fly up to 100 miles at speeds reaching 150 mph while producing zero operating emissions. Vertical is targeting certification with both the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) to match the safety standards of modern commercial airliners. The company aims to produce 175 aircraft by 2030, increasing to over 225 annually by the fourth quarter of that year.
Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports Infrastructure, commented, “We’re excited to build on our long-standing relationship with Vertical. Our Skyports London Heliport and Bicester skyport, combined with our global infrastructure expertise, make us ideally positioned to support early eVTOL services in the UK. With Bristow’s operational strength, we can accelerate plans for electric air taxi routes across the region, with the plan to create a UK-wide network.”
The collaboration builds upon existing relationships, including the “OxCam AAM Corridor” demonstrator project. This initiative involves Skyports, Bristow Helicopters, NATS, Vertical Aerospace, and Oxfordshire County Council, working to transition Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) from trials to commercial operations. The project is set to culminate in test flights of Vertical’s prototype.
Earlier this year, Bristow and Vertical introduced a “Ready-to-Fly” model offering turnkey access to aircraft, pilots, maintenance, and insurance. Bristow has also placed a pre-order for up to 50 Valo aircraft, with options for an additional 50.
Chris Bradshaw, President & CEO of Bristow, added, “Bristow’s role in Advanced Air Mobility is to leverage our 75+ years of leading vertical flight operations to bring real-world operational discipline to promising new aircraft and infrastructure concepts. Working with Vertical and Skyports on early eVTOL services in the UK allows us to apply our proven expertise in safe, reliable, and complex aviation operations to an important emerging market. This collaboration is a meaningful step as we progress a portfolio of advanced aircraft and explore how they can be deployed responsibly at scale.”
