Flying taxis could rocket around Britain's skies in just two years as firm secures 'major vote of confidence'

Flying taxis could soar around British skies within the next two years after their British manufacturer secured a "major vote of confidence" from the Government.

Bristol-based Vertical Aerospace said it is in advanced discussions with ministers over a support package to help manufacture the futuristic vehicles.

The firm said the deal would include up to £10million of additional funding for the daring proposal.

The full package is said to include a host of other benefits, including “confirmed interest” from the Ministry of Defence.

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This would bring the Government’s direct grant support awarded to the business to as much as £48million.

Vertical Aerospace is currently weighing up possible locations for factories to build its electric Valo aircraft and their batteries.

The firm's final decision is expected to made by the end of the year.

Chief executive Stuart Simpson hailed the announcement as a "major vote of confidence" from the Government.

He said: “The UK has backed us from the earliest stages of the programme, and today’s proposed support helps create a clear pathway from innovation to industrial scale-up.

“It means we will continue to create high-value jobs, strengthen Britain’s advanced manufacturing base, and build aircraft that will be exported to customers around the world.”

Vertical Aerospace said ITS Valo vehicle would be the first new aircraft designed and built in the UK in more than three decades.

It also said it had already received around 1,500 pre-orders.

Should it meet Britain's regulatory requirements, it is hoped that the Valo could take to the skies by 2028.

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Vertical Aerospace previously said planned destinations for its flying taxis departing from London’s Canary Wharf include Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

It also hinted Cambridge, Oxford and Bicester as other prospective locations.

Designed to fly up to 100 miles at speeds of up to 150mph, Valo is an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft expected to launch with a four-seat cabin, room for six cabin bags and six checked bags, panoramic windows, and a cockpit divider for privacy and safety.

The aircraft’s design allows expansion to six seats.

Vertical Aerospace is using a prototype to conduct Farnborough Airshow’s first public demonstration flights this week.

The talks come just weeks after Labour announced new regulations for self-driving vehicles on UK roads, including new measures to ensure the technology can be used across the country in a safe manner.

Speaking in the House of Commons on July 7, Simon Lightood MP confirmed the publishing of the Government's response to its "protecting marketing terms" consultation.

He also outlined the Automated Vehicles (Marketing Restrictions) Regulations 2026 statutory instrument.

The Minister for Roads and Buses stated that the consultation demonstrated broad support for protecting certain words that can only be used to describe vehicles that can drive themselves.

Labour's consultation intended to safeguard the integrity of the authorisation process, ensure public safety and build public trust in the technology.

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