25 flying taxi “VERTIPORTS” to be deployed around the UK as part of new partnership

Grimshaw, who specialise in delivering designs which respond to the growing and diversified requirements of air travel for passengers, airport operators, and carriers, has partnered with infrastructure investor and operator, Ferrovial, and global engineering, management and development consultancy Mott MacDonald to develop the design and engineering components of Ferrovial’s proposed network of vertiports to be used for flying taxis in the UK.

This follows Ferrovial’s collaboration agreements with advanced air mobility developers, Lilium and Vertical Aerospace, to operate across the planned network.

The plans announced on 28 October 2021, will deploy a network of more than 25 vertiports in the United Kingdom. This initiative is another step in Ferrovial's bid to lead the mobility of the future through the development of infrastructure for safe, high-speed, zero carbon aviation.

Kevin Cox, CEO of Ferrovial Vertiports, said: "The partnership between vertiports and eVTOLs will provide high speed, affordable, emissions-free travel to millions of people. This network will boost local economies with a new model of regional connectivity.”

Vertiports are essential to provide infrastructure for landing, recharging, and taking off passengers of all-electric, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircrafts, such as those being developed by Lilium and Vertical Aerospace.

They are integrated into communities and adapted to the surrounding environment, reducing noise impact and improving energy efficiency through innovative design.