Aviation News – Vertical Aerospace has officially opened a dedicated Aircraft Assembly Centre at its Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport, marking a critical step forward in bringing electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft to market. This strategic opening supports the company’s shift from initial prototype development toward full certification and commercial manufacturing.
The opening ceremony took place on National Manufacturing Day in the UK, delivering directly on a key corporate milestone previously set by Vertical Aerospace. Supported by a £1.5 million investment, the facility expands the company’s operational footprint significantly. The development highlights the growing momentum within the advanced air mobility sector as aerospace manufacturers work to establish permanent industrial infrastructure.
The new 5,570-square-meter facility expands Vertical’s operational and assembly capabilities at its existing Cotswold Airport site. Combined with its existing Flight Test Centre, Vertical Aerospace now operates roughly 12,080 square meters across the airport campus. This integrated space consolidates engineering, aircraft assembly, ground operations, and flight-testing activities into a single location.
The expansion directly supports the production and scaling of the company’s Valo eVTOL aircraft. By co-locating assembly capabilities directly alongside ground and flight-test operations, engineering teams can streamline prototype assembly, rapidly execute testing cycles, and optimize production workflows. This centralized setup reduces operational friction and accelerates the transition to commercial production lines.
“The opening of our dedicated Aircraft Assembly Centre marks a pivotal moment in our mission to pioneer zero-emission aviation,” a Vertical Aerospace representative stated. “This investment not only strengthens our manufacturing capabilities on National Manufacturing Day, but also builds the foundation required to deliver certified eVTOL aircraft to the global market.”
This milestone positions the company to accelerate its certification timeline and prepare for commercial scale. As aerospace regulators continue establishing frameworks for electric flight, having active, consolidated manufacturing hubs will determine which manufacturers lead the market. The expansion reinforces the UK’s position as a central hub for next-generation aerospace technology.
Vertical Aerospace has marked a major milestone by opening a 5,570-square-meter Aircraft Assembly Centre at Cotswold Airport. The £1.5 million investment brings the company’s total operational footprint to 12,080 square meters, uniting engineering, assembly, and flight testing. This consolidated campus provides the industrial infrastructure required to transition the Valo eVTOL aircraft from flight testing to commercial production.
