UK’s first vertiport to land in Oxfordshire

Skyports Infrastructure is looking to develop the UK’s first vertiport testbed at Bicester Motion, Oxfordshire. Bicester Motion is an independently run 444-acre estate dedicated to pioneering mobility technology. The new vertiport, including a compact 1,722 sq ft passenger terminal, is expected to be used for testing ground infrastructure and flight operations, as well as enabling the development of electric, low noise aviation in the UK. Proposals for the development have been lodged to Cherwell District Council. If approved, Skyports is set to open its UK vertiport by the end of 2024, to align with the Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium testing programme, which aims to demonstrate the commercial and operational viability of advanced aerial mobility technology in the UK. Skyports chief executive officer Duncan Walker said: “The facility will be employed by Skyports and our strategic partners to test and refine all aspects of our ground technology and operations within a UK context. “This will also be a key location for early demonstration flights in the UK and will help to pave the way for permanent operations in the future.” Bicester Motion chief executive Daniel Geoghegan said: “Partnering with Skyports is not only a significant boost to Oxfordshire’s aviation cluster, but will also facilitate the development and accessibility to a new sustainable, low-carbon and futuristic mode of transport across the world.” The project is being delivered as part of the Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium and backed by Innovate UK’s Future Flight Challenge. Photo © Nikolay Kazakov