Vertical Aerospace showcases electric air taxi at Farnborough; Joby partners with Virgin Atlantic
Bristol-based Vertical Aerospace demonstrated its electric air taxi at the Farnborough Air Show, while rival Joby Aviation announced a partnership with Virgin Atlantic for air taxi services.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
An electric air taxi developed by Bristol-based Vertical Aerospace has made its debut at the Farnborough Air Show, marking the first time such a vehicle has been allowed to take part in a British air show. The prototype, named Velo, is normally restricted to test flights from its home airfield at Kemble in Gloucestershire. It is designed to carry four passengers and their luggage, taking off like a helicopter but with much quieter, zero-emission battery-powered propellers.
Meanwhile, American rival Joby Aviation has announced a partnership with Virgin Atlantic to launch its own electric air taxi service. Joby plans to start operations in the United Arab Emirates later this year, followed by the United States next year, and then the UK. Both companies are targeting London as the initial UK market for their services.
Despite the progress, significant hurdles remain. The government and the Civil Aviation Authority must be convinced that electric air taxis are safe before they can be approved for commercial use. Officials have indicated they are supportive of the technology, with one stating that cutting emissions in aviation is "hugely important if the industry is to continue to grow."
Vertical Aerospace's chief executive, Stuart Simpson, said the Velo has been designed to fly without a pilot, but the company will launch with a pilot on board due to regulatory requirements and customer acceptance. "This could be autonomous almost immediately but from a regulatory and a customer acceptance people like to have a pilot," he said. "So we'll launch with a pilot and then autonomy will come very very quickly afterwards."
The West Country has a proud aviation heritage, having been home to the Concorde programme in the 1960s. Now, with Velo, the region is once again at the cutting edge of aviation technology, leading what some are calling a quiet revolution in urban mobility.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| Government and Civil Aviation Authority must approve safety before electric air taxis can operate, but appear supportive. | |
| Joby Aviation has partnered with Virgin Atlantic for air taxi services. | |
| The Velo prototype is restricted to test flights from its home airfield at Kemble. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focused heavily on the local angle, highlighting that Vertical Aerospace is based in Bristol and conducts test flights in Gloucestershire. It drew a direct line from the region's Concorde heritage to the new Velo air taxi, and included a human-interest question about whether viewers would fly without a pilot. The tone was cautiously optimistic, acknowledging the technological promise while noting public scepticism about autonomous flight.
- “This is the third wave of aerospace. We had the Wright brothers, we had the jet engine, nothing's really changed. This transforms not just aviation but how people travel in the great cities of the world.”
- “The west has a proud aviation heritage. In the 1960s it was Concorde at the cutting edge. Now it's Velo leading a quiet revolution.”
- “I think I would definitely want someone flying. Yeah I'm not there yet.”
Broadcast Timeline
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