Vertical Aerospace signs Saudi agreements to support electric aircraft operations

Vertical Aerospace (EVTL) said it signed two agreements with Saudi organizations aimed at supporting the future introduction of electric vertical takeoff and landing, or eVTOL, aircraft in the Kingdom.

The announcements were made during the Farnborough International Airshow, which has traditionally been one of the aerospace industry's biggest venues for commercial aircraft orders. Investors also watch the event for partnerships, technology initiatives and regulatory agreements that could shape future aerospace markets beyond conventional aviation.

The first memorandum of understanding was signed with Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation, or GACA, to explore the regulatory and operational framework needed to support advanced air mobility in the country.

Under the agreement, the companies will examine how to support validation of Vertical's Valo aircraft type certification, help develop regulations for electric aircraft operations and prepare Saudi Arabia's aviation system for the introduction of eVTOL aircraft.

The collaboration also includes sharing technical knowledge and certification practices with international aviation authorities as regulators work toward common approaches for electric aircraft certification.

Airport network cooperation

Separately, Vertical signed a memorandum of understanding with Cluster2 Airports Company, a Saudi airport operator, to study potential eVTOL operations across its airport network.

The companies said the agreement establishes a framework to evaluate future deployment of Vertical's aircraft and assess infrastructure requirements for electric aircraft operations in the Kingdom.

The signing ceremony for the GACA agreement was attended by the UK's Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Pakistan, Gemma Stevenson.

Saudi aviation plans

Vertical said the agreements expand its network of partnerships with regulators, governments, airlines and infrastructure providers as it works toward commercial deployment of its electric aircraft.

The company is developing the four-passenger Valo eVTOL aircraft as well as a hybrid-electric variant designed for longer-range missions.

According to Vertical, it has about 1,500 pre-orders for the Valo aircraft from customers including American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL and Japan Airlines, with some customer obligations expected to be fulfilled through third-party agreements.

Saudi Arabia is pursuing a broad expansion of its aviation sector under its Vision 2030 strategy, which includes plans to increase air connectivity, expand airport capacity and grow passenger traffic.