LONDON, NEW YORK & MIRANDA DE EBRO, Spain: In a stride toward revolutionizing urban air mobility, Vertical Aerospace, a pioneering name in electric aviation, has announced a long-term strategic partnership with Aciturri Aerostructures, one of the world’s foremost aerostructure suppliers. This collaboration will see Aciturri take full responsibility for producing the airframe—the structural backbone—of Vertical’s much-anticipated VX4 electric and hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Under the terms of this newly inked partnership, Aciturri will supply the entire airframe—including the wing, empennage, pylons, and fuselage—for both the pre-production and, subject to certification, the final certified VX4 models destined for commercial service. The deal extends beyond supply: Aciturri will bear substantial engineering responsibility, handling several critical structural components while providing concurrent manufacturing engineering, thereby ensuring the VX4 can be produced efficiently, reliably, and at scale.
Aciturri brings to this venture nearly 50 years of aeronautical expertise. The Spanish-headquartered company is renowned for designing and building key airframe sections for aerospace giants including Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer—having worked on programs like the iconic A320 and B737 jets as well as the Embraer KC-390 military transport. Aciturri’s growing eVTOL credentials include airframe development for trailblazers like Eve Air Mobility and Lilium.
The partnership is a critical pillar in Vertical Aerospace’s journey toward certification and commercial rollout of the VX4. Marrying Vertical’s innovative engineering with Aciturri’s manufacturing prowess, the collaboration is designed to power the VX4’s transition from concept to scalable, high-quality production.
“As we accelerate toward commercialization, the VX4 demands an airframe built specifically for the unique challenges of eVTOL and the highest levels of safety certification,” remarked Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace. “Aciturri brings the world-class capability, agility, and technical excellence we need to turn great designs into great aircraft. Their track record makes them the ideal partner as we advance our mission to deliver the safest, most versatile aircraft in the skies.”
Manuel Gonzalez Relaño, CEO of Aciturri Aerostructures, echoed this optimism, stating, “Aciturri and Vertical share a strong commitment to advancing the future of air mobility by redefining urban transport with sustainable electric flight. With Vertical’s position as Europe’s leading eVTOL company, we look forward to partnering through development, certification, and production to deliver a globally exportable and commercially viable eVTOL aircraft.”
This agreement marks a strategic advance in Vertical’s “Flightpath 2030” roadmap, which aims to usher in a new era of electric and hybrid-electric flight through innovation and robust industrial partnerships. The decision to launch production with long-lead parts procurement, supported by Aciturri, positions Vertical to meet anticipated customer demand as it moves toward certification and scaled manufacturing.
The announcement follows closely on Vertical’s expanded partnership with Honeywell, which is set to supply cutting-edge flight control and management systems for the VX4. The company recently completed a series of successful airport-to-airport test flights, further underscoring its momentum.
Based in Bristol, UK, Vertical Aerospace is at the forefront of electric aviation. Its flagship, the VX4, is a piloted four-passenger eVTOL aircraft promising zero operating emissions and ultra-quiet operation. Vertical also has a hybrid-electric model in the pipeline to offer extended range and enhanced flexibility for future urban and regional missions. The company’s pre-order book stands at approximately 1,500 units, with customers spanning American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL, and Bristow, among others. Vertical’s leadership team draws on deep aviation roots, having contributed to the certification and operation of over 30 types of civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems.
Founded in 1977, Aciturri is a global player in designing, manufacturing, and assembling aerostructures—wings, fuselage, empennage, and engine components—for top-tier OEMs including Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, and Rolls Royce. With a workforce of over 3,100 spread across facilities in Spain, Portugal, Brazil, France, and Morocco, Aciturri reported revenues of roughly 500 million euros last year. Its broad experience and geographic reach make it a trusted partner in the most demanding aerospace programs worldwide.
As Vertical and Aciturri move forward, their partnership sets a new benchmark for combining established aerospace manufacturing with the disruptive promise of electric flight—the future of clean, safe, and efficient air travel.
