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Charlotte Bailey

Vertical Aerospace is the latest eVTOL aircraft developing looking to fast-track its entry-into-service plans in the Gulf region. On Wednesday, the UK company announced an advanced air mobility partnership with the Saudi&nbsp;National Industrial Development Centre (NDIC) and the country’s AHQ Group. 
According to Vertical, the deal could lead to local manufacturing for its Valo aircraft in Saudi Arabia and "investment opportunities" with the government-backed agency.&nbsp;Under the agreement, cooperation with the NDIC—part of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources—will bring together “deep industrial expertise [and] capital strength,” explained Vertical Aerospace CEO Stuart Simpson.
The Bristol-based start-up stated that Saudi Arabia has the potential to support the operation of over 1,000 of its six-seat Valo aircraft. The design of this production-conforming variant, featuring significant changes from the successor to Vertical’s previous VX4 prototype, was formally unveiled <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-12-09/vertical-unveils-redesigned-valo-evtol-aircraft-london">in December 2025</a>.
Initially, Vertical is pursuing UK and EASA type certification for the aircraft, targeting entry into commercial service in 2028. According to the company, early routes are likely to include inter-city airport shuttle services. 
Vertical believes key design attributes also make Valo “particularly well-suited to Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region.” These include fuselage-installed batteries to help shield against heat, advanced thermal management systems, and the ability to operate in temperatures of up to 112-deg F.

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