Vertical Aerospace and Aciturri Forge Long-Term Partnership to Build VX4 Airframe

Vertical Aerospace has announced a strategic partnership with Aciturri Aerostructures to manufacture the airframe for its VX4 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The agreement covers both pre-production and certified aircraft, with Aciturri supplying the wing, empennage, pylons, and fuselage, while also taking on engineering responsibility for several structural components.

This collaboration marks a significant step in Vertical’s Flightpath 2030 plan, which aims to scale production and achieve certification for the VX4. The aircraft, designed to carry four passengers with zero operating emissions, is part of Vertical’s broader vision to redefine urban mobility through electric and hybrid-electric flight.

Leveraging Aciturri’s Aerospace Manufacturing Legacy

Aciturri brings nearly five decades of experience in aerostructures, having contributed to major commercial programs including the Airbus A320, Boeing 737, and Embraer KC-390. The company also has a growing footprint in the eVTOL sector, supporting platforms like Eve Air Mobility and Lilium.

With facilities across Spain, Portugal, Brazil, France, and Morocco, Aciturri’s global reach and technical depth make it a strong fit for Vertical’s ambitions. The partnership is expected to streamline manufacturing engineering and enable scalable, reliable production of the VX4.

A Convergence of Tradition and Innovation

This partnership reflects a broader trend in aerospace, where legacy manufacturers are increasingly collaborating with electric aviation startups to accelerate certification and commercialization. For Vertical, aligning with a supplier like Aciturri not only brings manufacturing credibility but also helps navigate the complex regulatory landscape that eVTOL programs face.

The VX4 has already completed airport-to-airport flight tests and secured approximately 1,500 pre-orders from customers including American Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Bristow. As the company moves toward hybrid-electric variants and expanded mission profiles, partnerships like this will be critical in translating design innovation into operational reality.

For aerospace stakeholders, the Vertical-Aciturri alliance offers a glimpse into how traditional aerostructure expertise can be repurposed for the next generation of aircraft. It also underscores the importance of long-range parts purchasing and concurrent engineering in meeting aggressive production timelines.