Vertical receives payment for 25 delivery slots from Japan’s Marubeni Corporation

Vertical Aerospace has secured a pre-delivery payment for the reservation of aircraft delivery slots from Japanese trading and investment conglomerate, Marubeni Corporation.

Marubeni has reserved aircraft delivery slots for 25 out of its up to 200 conditional pre-orders, becoming Vertical’s first Asia-based customer to make a pre-delivery payment.

Stephen Fitzpatrick, Vertical founder and CEO, said: “We are delighted to have reached the next milestone in our partnership with Marubeni. Japan is a wonderful country which is embracing the promise of eVTOL, as it will connect cities and regions like never before. We look forward to our joint efforts to build the ecosystem for zero-emissions travel in Japan.”

Vertical and Marubeni previously announced the partnership and order in September 2021, including a joint evaluation of the requirements for eVTOL operations in Japan.

Over recent months, Marubeni has conducted proof-of-concept (POC) demonstration trials in preparation for the Osaka World Expo 2025. Tests included flights from Osaka heliport to Wakayama using existing helicopters at future expected AAM service prices.

Satoshi Takechi, general manager, Aviation, Space & Defense Department, said: “I am confident that our continued joint efforts with Vertical Aerospace, such as evaluating the requirements for eVTOL operations and engaging the potential partners under the Joint Working Group, together with this new agreement, will accelerate the development of the AAM market in Japan. Marubeni will further enhance activities to materialise our business, which aims to make air travel more accessible and convenient, while simultaneously contributing to climate change mitigation measures, including low-carbon and decarbonisation initiatives.”