Skyports Infrastructure and Bicester Motion have broken ground on the UK’s first vertiport testbed. The vertiport, which is a key output of the Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium, an Innovate UK Future Flight Challenge project, is under construction on a plot of 0.42 acres, which will include a compact 160sqm passenger terminal.

Once complete, it will be a critical facility for testing eVTOL flight operations, ground infrastructure and air traffic management, and will play a significant role in enabling the next generation of electric, low noise aviation in the UK.

The vertiport is being constructed adjacent to Bicester Motion’s existing general aviation grass runways that are operated by the Bicester Aerodrome Company, and is due to be completed in early 2025. The facility will launch with an inauguration at which Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium partners will test and demonstrate key outputs and findings from the project, with demonstration flights by Vertical Aerospace.

Bicester Motion CEO Daniel Geoghegan says: “It’s great to see Skyports’ vertiport being built right here in Bicester. Once complete, it will support vertical take off and landing aircraft testing as part of advanced air mobility innovation. We’re proud to support this vertiport testbed as part of our strategic vision to integrate both traditional and vertical aviation operations from our airfield and boost pioneering future mobility discovery.”

Skyports CEO Duncan Walker adds: “With spades in ground and the site beginning to take shape, today we are one step closer to delivering our vertiport at Bicester Motion. Our thanks to the project and construction teams for their work so far, and we look forward to opening the facility in a few months’ time to continue our efforts to develop and scale electric air taxi services.”

Michael Cervenka, chief commercial and strategy officer at Vertical Aerospace concludes: “As a proud partner of the Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium, Vertical Aerospace is excited to see this vertiport come to life. Facilities like this are essential for enabling the seamless integration of electric vertical take off and landing aircraft into our airspace, and for helping people better understand the benefits they will bring. We look forward to supporting this effort with demonstration flights next year and together advancing the future of aviation.”