UK's Electric Aviation Future: Vertical Aerospace's Big Plans

Vertical Aerospace is making waves in the UK's aerospace industry. This company is working on electric planes, and it's expected to bring in a lot of money and create jobs by 2035. Right now, they have around 479 employees, but that number could grow to about 2, 200 in the next 12 years. This growth will bring more skilled jobs to the UK. The company's VX4 aircraft is still in development, but it's already making an impact. It's attracting foreign investment and strengthening supply chains, especially in the South West of England. By 2035, Vertical Aerospace could be bringing in nearly £9 billion in annual revenue, with most of that coming from exports. Vertical Aerospace is also planning to invest around £400 million into production sites. This investment could boost the UK's advanced manufacturing and skills base. The search for these sites is ongoing, and a decision is expected in the next six months. However, the UK is just one of several options. The company's CEO, Stuart Simpson, is excited about the future. He believes that the UK is on the brink of a new industrial opportunity. He also mentioned that the next few months will be crucial as they prepare for advanced testing and decide on the location of their production sites. David Stepanek, Executive Vice President at Bristow Group, is also optimistic. He believes that Vertical Aerospace has enormous potential and is proud to be part of that journey. Bristow Group has 75 years of experience in vertical-lift and is ready to help bring electric air mobility to market. Vertical Aerospace is not just about creating jobs and bringing in money. It's also about creating a safer, cleaner, and quieter way to travel. Their VX4 aircraft is a piloted, four-passenger, Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft with zero operating emissions. They're also developing a hybrid-electric variant to meet the evolving needs of the advanced air mobility market. Vertical Aerospace has partnerships with leading aerospace companies like GKN, Honeywell, and Aciturri. They also have around 1, 500 pre-orders for the VX4 from customers across four continents. This includes big names like American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL, and Bristow. However, it's important to note that these are just projections. The actual results could be different due to various risks and uncertainties. These include industry performance, the regulatory environment, and general business and economic conditions.