Plans to build the UK’s first vertiport testbed for the electric air taxi industry near Bicester have been given the green light.
Bicester Motion, a 444-acre future mobility estate in Launton, and Skyports Infrastructure, a leader in vertiport infrastructure, which allows aircraft to take off and land vertically, will work together on the project.
Daniel Geoghegan, chief executive of Bicester Motion, said: "This is a significant moment for Bicester Motion and the future of aviation here.
"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 centre.
“Today, we continue to welcome aircraft from all eras including new mobility technologies to provide a viable future for our historic airfield through such pioneering partnerships as Skyports."
The application to build the infrastructure at Bicester Motion received approval from Cherwell District Council.
It will be built adjacent to Bicester Motion’s existing general aviation grass runways.
The plans include a compact 160 sq m passenger terminal that will be used for testing ground infrastructure and flight operations.
Skyports Infrastructure has partnered with Vertical Aerospace, a global aerospace and technology company leading the way in zero-emissions aviation through electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
New designs have been unveiled to showcase Vertical Aerospace’s latest VX4 prototype which will be the first electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft to fly at the Skyports vertiport.
The VX4 is designed to be piloted, carry four passengers and have a range of up to 100 miles.
The aircraft successfully completed its first tethered piloted flight in July and is now undergoing a piloted test flight programme.
Vertical will use the Skyports vertiport for demonstration flights and testing key procedures ahead of the commercial launch.
Duncan Walker, chief executive of Skyports, said: “With the green light from Cherwell District Council, now begins the exciting stage in vertiport development: building it.
"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 that advance the adoption of advanced air mobility.
"We are proud to be playing a pioneering role in shaping the future of this exciting industry in the UK."
The vertiport is being developed as part of the Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium, a group of leading British aviation, technology and transportation organisations pioneering advanced air mobility in the UK, backed by the UK Research and Innovation Future Flight Challenge.
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