The aviation industry has taken a significant step forward with the signing of a multi-year agreement between Virgin Atlantic and Joby Aviation at the Farnborough International Airshow. The deal aims to bring electric air taxis to the UK, promising faster and more seamless travel experiences for customers.
Under the agreement, Virgin Atlantic will be the exclusive airline partner for Joby's UK air taxi service, allowing travellers to book air taxi connections alongside long-haul tickets through the airline's app and website. London and Manchester are set to be the launch hubs, with Manchester anchoring connections across the North of England.
Business owners may be interested in three key aspects of this development. Firstly, the competitive landscape is heating up, with Vertical announcing plans to build its flying taxis in Britain following a further £10 million in government funding. This brings a new player to the market, with the American entrant boasting an airline, booking channel, and customer list.
The second aspect is regulatory, with Joby retaining sole responsibility for aircraft operations, route management, and securing UK Civil Aviation Authority approvals. The CAA's ambition is to have regulatory frameworks in place by the end of 2028, which will pave the way for commercial passenger eVTOL flights.
The third aspect is the supply chain, with vertiports, power, ground handling, security, and maintenance all requiring construction. The Government has already committed £46.5 million to fast-track drones and flying taxis, and smaller engineering and infrastructure firms with aviation credentials have a window of opportunity to position themselves before procurement is awarded.
The aircraft itself uses six tilting propellers, takes off vertically with a fraction of the noise of a helicopter, and is designed for routes of up to 100 miles. Joby has flown thousands of test flights, including point-to-point demonstrations between JFK and Manhattan.
The announcement comes as the advanced air mobility race heats up, with the Farnborough airshow opening with $48.8 billion in orders. While the eight-minute Heathrow transfer may not be a line item for the average SME anytime soon, those building, servicing, or financing the infrastructure beneath it have reason to take note.
