As the race to revolutionize urban air mobility heats up, a leading player in the eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) sector has significantly expanded its pilot manufacturing facility in Marina, California. This strategic move aims to expedite the commercialization of air taxis, with plans to launch operations as early as next year.
The newly enhanced facility now spans 435,500 square feet, allowing for the production of up to 24 aircraft annually. Once fully operational, it is expected to manufacture nearly one aircraft every two weeks. This facility will not only focus on production but will also play a crucial role in federal certification processes, ground and flight testing, pilot training, and ongoing aircraft maintenance.
Inquiries have been made regarding the timeline for reaching full production capacity, as well as updates on another significant site in Dayton, Ohio, which is projected to have the capability to produce up to 500 aircraft per year upon completion.
To bolster its engineering efforts, the company has partnered with experts from a major automotive investor, who are contributing to the development of both manufacturing sites. Recently, this investor completed a substantial funding round, injecting $250 million into the eVTOL venture as part of a larger $500 million commitment.
The announcement of the expanded facility coincides with the addition of a sixth aircraft to the company’s growing fleet. Impressively, this new aircraft received its airworthiness certification within just a week of its completion, showcasing the rapid advancements being made in this innovative sector.
Having gone public through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in 2021, the company is setting its sights on launching commercial operations first in Dubai by early 2026, with plans to expand into a U.S. city shortly thereafter.