• 30 Apr 2022 01:37 AM
• 0

Vertical Orders Continue

Conditional pre-orders of the Vertical Aerospace VX4 eVTOL aircraft are exceeding expectations, the UK-based eVTOL developer said in a March 29 press release. Avolon, an Ireland-based aircraft lessor, has already placed all the 500 VX4 aircraft it pre-ordered from Vertical in June 2021, as well as an additional 50 aircraft. On Feb. 16, Avolon announced that it has partnered with AirAsia to launch a ride-sharing network in Southeast Asia. Under the non-binding MOU, AirAsia will lease at least 100 VX4 from Avolon. On March 22, Avolon announced a partnership with Air Greenland that includes a commitment to purchase or lease VX4 aircraft. On March 29, Avolon said that Gözen Holding, a Turkish aviation conglomerate, had committed to purchase or lease up to 50 VX4 aircraft. 

As of the end of March, Vertical has 1,400 conditional orders. Although the company flew two smaller multicopter demonstrators several years ago, first flight of its five-seat VX4 is expected later this year, with certification planned for 2024.