Air taxi developers are pivoting toward the military market due to delays in civil certification and rising costs.
Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have increased demand for unmanned aircraft capable of operating without runways.
Major air taxi developers have lost more than 50% of their stock prices in the last year.
Vertical Aerospace shifts certification targets
UK-based Vertical Aerospace has moved its commercial certification target from 2025 to 2029. The company aims to complete the critical design review of its Valo aircraft by the end of 2026.
Vertical Aerospace is developing a hybrid-electric version of the Valo, featuring a target range of approximately 1,000 miles and a payload capacity of up to 1,100 kilograms for short distances. The company plans to start the first flight tests of this hybrid model in the first half of 2027.
Defense-focused aircraft demonstrations
At the Farnborough International Airshow, Archer Aviation introduced an unmanned hybrid aircraft developed in collaboration with defense technology company Anduril. Archer Aviation aims to begin passenger trials in 2026 through pilot programs in the US and flight programs in the United Arab Emirates.
Joby Aviation is developing an autonomous and hybrid vertical takeoff platform in partnership with L3Harris Technologies. The company's demonstrator aircraft has completed its first flight, and Joby Aviation plans to conduct mission demonstrations for government agencies within 2026.
Beta Technologies exhibited its MV250 unmanned military aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow. The company is also developing the Alia model, an electric aircraft capable of conventional takeoff and landing.
The UK regional airline Loganair has placed five provisional orders and five additional options for the Alia model, with plans to start commercial service for the aircraft in 2029.
