Vertical Aerospace received an expanded Permit to Fly from the UK Civil Aviation Authority on July 10, 2026, allowing public demonstration flights. The company expanded its flight test fleet with an additional prototype and expects to complete its Critical Design Review by the end of 2026. New manufacturing capabilities are targeted for the third quarter of 2026 for aircraft assembly and the fourth quarter of 2026 for the Vertical Energy Centre. Due to certification rigor, the company re-baselined its program plan and now expects to achieve type certification for its Valo aircraft in 2029 instead of 2028. Vertical Aerospace develops electric and hybrid-electric aircraft.

Vertical Aerospace Ltd. entered into a long-term agreement with Astronics Corporation, effective June 26, 2026, to supply the low-voltage power distribution system for its Valo electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The agreement includes the supply of Modular Conversion and Distribution Unit (MCDU) and Secondary Power Distribution Unit (SPDU) hardware to manage and protect electrical power for critical aircraft systems. Vertical Aerospace Ltd. develops and manufactures electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.