Skyports Infrastructure has unveiled plans for the United Kingdom’s first-ever permanent vertiport testbed. The UK vertiport was developed in partnership with Bicester Motion, a 444-acre future mobility estate in Oxfordshire, and Vertical Aerospace, a global aerospace and technology company.
Once operational, this pioneer facility will play a key role in supporting the next generation of electric, low-noise eVTOL aircraft. The new vertiport has secured planning permission from Cherwell District Council. This makes it the first such infrastructure proposal to receive regulatory approval in the UK.
This milestone paves the way for the construction of a compact 160-square-meter passenger terminal. This will become a critical hub for testing ground infrastructure and flight operations.
“With the green light from Cherwell District Council, now begins the exciting stage in vertiport development: building it,” said Duncan Walker, Chief Executive of Skyports.
“The tests and trials we conduct at this facility will be instrumental to the future of quiet, electric, vertical flight. Our vertiport at Bicester Motion will facilitate important learnings and demonstrations. They will advance the adoption of advanced air mobility (AAM) in the UK.”
Vertical Aerospace VX4
At the heart of the vertiport will be Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 prototype aircraft. The VX4 is the first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to be tested at the Skyports facility.
Designed to carry four passengers with a range of up to 100 miles, the VX4 has already completed its first tethered piloted flight. The aircraft now progressing through a robust testing program.
Michael Cervenka, Chief Commercial and Technology Officer at Vertical Aerospace offered comment on the new development. “The Skyports vertiport is a critical piece of infrastructure. It helps to get our VX4 aircraft up into the air and demonstrate to the world that the future of flight is electric.”
“The tests we carry out here in Bicester with our VX4 will advance our understanding of electric aviation and revolutionize how we travel. It paves the way for zero emissions, quiet flight.”
The new vertiport will also showcase Skyports’ proprietary technology solutions. This includes its Resource Management and Scheduling System (RMSS) and Vertiport Automation System (VAS). These systems will be integrated into the facility.
Bicester Aviation History
The project represents a significant milestone for Bicester Motion. The company has a rich history of aviation innovation dating back to the 1930s.
Daniel Geoghegan, Chief Executive of Bicester Motion explained the past history and its aviation connections. “The former RAF Bicester was born in a period of intense technological innovation and played its role in 1938 when the Halifax prototype L7244 flew its maiden trial flights from Bicester.”
“Today, we continue to welcome aircraft from all eras, including new mobility technologies. This will provide a viable future for our historic airfield through such pioneering partnerships as Skyports.”
The Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium is developing the vertiport. This group of leading British aviation, technology, and transportation organizations aims to pioneer AAM in the UK. The Consortium is backed by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Flight Challenge, a government-funded initiative aimed at accelerating the development of new aviation technologies.
“This is a significant moment for Bicester Motion and the future of aviation here,” added Geoghegan.
“The vertiport green light enables us to continue to host such aviation innovation and advance a world where sustainable and accessible electric aviation is in reach for all, with Bicester Motion at the center.”
Conclusion
With the UK vertiport construction set to begin in the autumn, the Skyports vertiport at Bicester Motion represents a crucial step towards the realization of a sustainable, electric-powered aviation future in the UK.
As the industry pioneers continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, this facility will serve as a hub for critical testing and demonstration. Once operational it will pave the way for the widespread adoption of advanced air mobility technologies.
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