Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL), a global aerospace and technology company pioneering zero-emissions aviation, has secured a pre-delivery payment for aircraft delivery slots from its existing customer, Marubeni Corporation. 

Marubeni, a leading Japanese trading and investment conglomerate, has reserved delivery slots for 25 out of its 200 VX4 conditional pre-orders and becomes Vertical's first customer in Asia to make a pre-delivery payment. This move further reinforces Japan's potential as a key launch market for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).

The partnership between Vertical and Marubeni will also involve joint evaluations of the requirements for eVTOL aircraft operations in Japan and commercial considerations such as route and network planning and infrastructure requirements.

Stephen Fitzpatrick, Vertical Founder and CEO, stated: “We are delighted to have reached the next milestone in our partnership with Marubeni. Japan is a wonderful country which is embracing the promise of eVTOL, as it will connect cities and regions like never before. We look forward to our joint efforts to build the ecosystem for zero-emissions travel in Japan.”

Founded in 2016, Vertical Aerospace has a market-leading pre-order book by value for more than 1,400 aircraft from global customers creating multiple potential near term and actionable routes to market.

Shares of Vertical Aerospace trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbol EVTL.