Vertical Aerospace has added Sigma Air Mobility, part of the Luxavertical take-off and landing aircraft
Announced at the Farnborough International Airshow, the memorandum of understanding covers the intended purchase and operation of Valo aircraft, although neither the number of aircraft nor the potential value of the agreement has been disclosed
The agreement will also see Vertical and Sigma work together on aircraft operations, operational testing, commercial readiness and customer requirements as they prepare for the introduction of electric air mobility services
Sigma Air Mobility was established by Luxadrawing on the group’s experience in business a
Luxaft, while its ExecuJet subsidiary operates a network of more than 100 fixed-base operator locations
Michael Cervenka, chief commercial and strategy officer at Vertical Aerospace, said experienced operators would be essential to moving eVTOL aircraft beyond certification and into everyday commercial service
“Sigma Air Mobility and Luxahelp ensure Valo integrates seamlessly into aengers from day one,” he said
The agreement is not Luxaced air mobility aircraft developer
Luxanership in 2024, with the companies focusing on aircraft operations and the ground infrastructure required to support the planned Lilium Jet. The agreement was intended to make use of Luxa
Sigma subsequently announced a partnership with Hyundai Motor Group subsidiary Supernal at the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow. That agreement covered the development of potential markets in South and Southeast Asia and Southern Europe, with Sigma expected to operate Supernal eVTOL aircraft and support vertiport development
It also signed an agreement with VoltAero to explore potential operations involving the Cassio hybrid-electric aircraft, including a possible route demonstration and air ambulance applications. Sigma has separately worked with Nordic eVTOL Networks on the development of operating infrastructure in Scandinavia
However, based on the public announcements surrounding those partnerships, none disclosed a defined aircraft purchase commitment by Sigma or Luxat a firm step towards acquiring an AAM fleet, even though the number of Valo aircraft covered by the MoU remains unknown
Christophe Lapierre, CEO of Sigma Air Mobility, said the agreement would take the relationship “beyond the aircraft” by bringing together the vehicle and the operational ecosystem needed to support it
Sigma joins Valo’s 1,500-aircraft pipeline
Vertical currently reports approximately 1,500 conditional pre-orders for Valo, with a potential value of around $6 billion. Its latest corporate materials identify American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL and Japan Airlines among its principal customers
American Airlines placed a conditional pre-order for up to 250 aircraft, with options for another 100, and later committed pre-delivery payments to secure the first 50 delivery positions
Aircraft lessor Avolon agreed to acquire up to 500 aircraft and subsequently allocated that capacity among several airlines and mobility partners. Its placements included 250 aircraft for GOL and Grupo Comporte in Brazil, up to 100 for Japan Airlines, at least 100 for AirAsia and up to 100 for Gözen Holding. Those airline commitments sit within Avolon’s wider order rather than being additional to it
Bristow has separately pre-ordered up to 50 aircraft, with options for another 50, as part of a partnership to develop a turnkey operating model covering aircraft, pilots, maintenance and insurance
Vertical has also recently added Indian business acosystem, although aircraft quantities were not disclosed in either announcement
The company is now working towards Critical Design Review, which will establish the certifiable design baseline for Valo before certification-conforming aircraft enter production and testing. The new Sigma agreement is intended to ensure operational requirements are fed into that process before the aircraft enters commercial service
Lock in to AGN, the official media partner of FIA 2026, for all the latest news. Bookmark our page for rolling updates from the show.Lock in to AGN, the official media partner of FIA 2026, for all the latest news. Bookmark our page for rolling updates from the show.
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Farnborough International AirshowInnovation & TechnologyUrban Air MobilityAAMeVTOLLuxaviation GroupSigma Air MobilityUAMVertical AerospaceVertical Valo
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