Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) hosted its Capital Markets Day in New York City, revealing key updates on its Flightpath 2030 strategy, including secured manufacturing sites, a cost-effective certification path, and improved financial outlook. The company aims to certify its all-electric VX4 by 2028 with $700 million in funding.
Vertical announced its first manufacturing sites for certification and early production. Aircraft assembly will take place at an expanded Cotswold Airport site, adjacent to its existing Flight Test Centre, with capacity to produce over 25 VX4 aircraft annually. Battery production will be at an expanded Avonmouth site, tripling capacity with a new 30,000 sq ft facility. These locations reduce integration risk and enable a seamless ramp from prototype to production.
The company reaffirmed its plan to certify the VX4 by 2028, requiring $700 million. The collaboration between the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on eVTOL safety standards front-loads certification, minimizing delays. Vertical's focused OEM model, low operating costs, and efficient manufacturing plans provide greater clarity on supplier costs.
Vertical updated its 2030 targets: at least 175 aircraft delivered cumulatively by 2030 (up from 150), manufacturing run-rate of over 225 units per annum in Q4 2030 (up from 200), and plans to scale to 900 annual deliveries by 2035 (up from 700). Battery deliveries are projected at 45,000 units in 2035. Consolidated gross margin is expected to reach 20% in 2030 and 40% by 2035, with over $100 million positive operating cash flow in 2030, improved from prior breakeven guidance.
Vertical is on track to complete transition testing by end of 2025, demonstrating the VX4's shift between vertical lift and wingborne flight. Hybrid-electric flight testing will begin in 2026. CEO Stuart Simpson stated, "We now have a clear, efficient path to certification and commercialization at scale."
