Vertical Aerospace Signs New Customer JetSetGo to Accelerate Electric and Hybrid-Electric Aviation in India

INDIA & SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 4, 2026--

JetSetGo, one of India’s leading private aviation operators and Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL), a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering electric aviation, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the intended purchase of 50 Valo aircraft, alongside a strategic collaboration to develop Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) services in India.

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The MoU establishes a framework for the two companies to jointly develop route networks, operating models, regulatory engagement and the commercial rollout of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft across India. Valo will be Vertical’s certification electric aircraft, designed to fly up to 160 km at speeds of 240 km/h with zero operating emissions and engineered to meet airliner-level safety standards. Vertical is also developing a hybrid-electric variant, offering increased range and mission flexibility, well-suited to use cases across India.

As part of the agreement, JetSetGo will lead market research and operational planning for metro and short-haul regional routes, and is already running technical evaluations, demand modelling and feasibility studies in select corridors. The company said Valo’s design, including the future long-range hybrid-electric variant, fits its strategy to connect dense cities and underserved regional markets where ground travel options are slow.

“From an operator’s standpoint, aircraft capability and certification timelines are decisive factors,” said Kanika Tekriwal, founder and chief executive of JetSetGo. “We are seeing early indicators of demand on specific city pairs and intra city corridors. The Valo platform, particularly the hybrid-electric configuration, fits the operating profiles we are analysing for India. Vertical’s progress to date has been impressive, and we are confident that the recently launched Valo design is an excellent fit with future customer needs in India.”

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said,“We are delighted to welcome JetSetGo as a new customer and partner. India is a dynamic and rapidly growing market for Advanced Air Mobility and working with an experienced operator like JetSetGo allows us to explore how Valo’s all-electric and hybrid-electric variant can unlock new routes and transport solutions across the country.”

Vertical is targeting type certification of Valo by 2028 under UK and European regulators, with global validations to follow, which JetSetGo said could enable early commercial rollout of Advanced Air Mobility services in India, subject to approvals. The partnership comes as Indian regulators work on certification and infrastructure frameworks for AAM, and will feed into JetSetGo’s long-term fleet planning for deploying next-generation aircraft.

About JetSetGo

JetSetGo, founded in 2014 by the visionary duo Kanika Tekriwal and Sudheer Perla, has been on a mission to revolutionise private air travel in India. Its core principles, putting customer needs first, maximising the value of their time, and making private aviation simple and accessible, have positioned the brand as a leading provider of private aviation services.

Headquartered in New Delhi, JetSetGo was conceived by a commitment to tackle the significant challenges within the private aviation sector. The brand has created a more transparent and accessible marketplace for private jet charter, making private jet ownership more affordable and convenient while elevating the quality and consistency of charter services. The fleet currently comprises five mid-size Hawker aircraft, meticulously tailored to the unique demands of the Indian market, and six other aircraft ranging from large cabin jets to helicopters.

About Vertical Aerospace

Vertical Aerospace is a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation. Vertical is creating a safer, cleaner, and quieter way to travel. Valo is a piloted, four-passenger, Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with zero operating emissions. Vertical is also developing a hybrid-electric variant, offering increased range and mission flexibility to meet the evolving needs of the Advanced Air Mobility market.

Vertical combines partnerships with leading aerospace companies, including Honeywell, Syensqo and Aciturri, with its own proprietary battery and propeller technology to develop the world’s most advanced and safest eVTOL.

Vertical has c.1,500 pre-orders of Valo, with customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL and Japan Airlines. Certain customer obligations are expected to be fulfilled via third-party agreements. Headquartered in Bristol, UK, Vertical’s experienced leadership team comes from top-tier aerospace and automotive companies such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus, GM, and Leonardo. Together, they have previously certified and supported over 30 different civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that relate to our current expectations and views of future events. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Any express or implied statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the partnership with JetSetGo and ability to launch the projected routes; the introduction of the Valo aircraft; the certification and the commercialization of the Valo aircraft and the timing thereof; the design and manufacture of the Valo aircraft; the features and capabilities of the Valo aircraft; the differential strategy compared to our peer group; expectations surrounding pre-orders and commitments; as well as statements that include the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “will,” “aim,” “potential,” “continue,” “are likely to” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. Forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, without limitation, the other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 11, 2025, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law.

Vertical and JetSetGo are jointly developing route networks across India

Free agent pitcher Framber Valdez and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to a $115 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday night.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.

Valdez became one of baseball’s most durable starters with the Houston Astros. Now, the left-hander is set to join a Tigers rotation anchored by two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.

Skubal went to a record-setting salary arbitration hearing Wednesday, with the left-hander asking for $32 million and the Tigers offering $19 million.

Valdez is a two-time All-Star and 2022 World Series champion. He was Houston's ace last season with a 13-11 record and 3.66 ERA, and became a free agent for the first time.

He struck out 187 and walked 68 in 192 innings, and had a major league-high 12 wild pitches while making $18 million on a deal reached last offseason that avoided salary arbitration. He started Houston’s last four season openers.

Since making his major league debut in 2018 with the Astros, he is 81-52 with a 3.36 ERA. The 32-year-old Dominican averaged more than 191 innings the past four seasons, joining Giants right-hander Logan Webb as the only two pitchers to throw at least 175 innings each of those years.

Valdez was 15-7 with a 2.91 ERA over 28 games in 2024 and threw a no-hitter in 2023, when he was an All-Star for a second straight season. He is 8-4 with a 4.34 ERA in 17 postseason games, including 16 starts.

Valdez pitched in two World Series for the Astros, and was the winning pitcher in the clinching Game 6 that secured their 2022 championship against Philadelphia.

In the 2022 Series, he was 2-0 in two starts while allowing two runs over 12 1/3 innings (1.46 ERA) with 18 strikeouts. A year earlier, he gave up 10 runs and 12 hits over 4 2/3 innings (19.29 ERA) in two starts against Atlanta.

Valdez rejected a $22,025,000 qualifying offer from the Astros in November, so they would receive a compensatory pick after the fourth round of the 2026 amateur draft if he completes his deal with Detroit, which would forfeit its third-highest selection.

Valdez pitched a no-hitter against Cleveland on Aug. 1, 2023. He came close to another one just more than a year later against Texas, but that bid was broken up when Corey Seager homered with two outs in the ninth inning.

There was a strange moment last season when Valdez denied intentionally hitting his catcher in the chest with a pitch almost immediately after giving up a grand slam in a loss to the New York Yankees.

Two pitches after Trent Grisham’s slam in the Yankees’ 7-1 victory on Sept. 2, Valdez crossed up catcher César Salazar by throwing a 92.8 mph sinker to Anthony Volpe. Salazar moved his glove downward as the pitch approached the plate, an indication he was expecting a pitch with less velocity and more break. The ball hit him in his chest protector.

Just before the pitch Grisham sent over the fence, Salazar had motioned for Valdez to step off the mound. Valdez and Salazar both said after the game the pitch that hit the catcher wasn’t on purpose.

Astros manager Joe Espada insisted a day later the situation was “100%” resolved in his mind, and he wanted to “get past this and get back to baseball," and he met with both players.

AP Sports Writer Stephen Hawkins contributed to this report.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

FILE - Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez throws to an Athletics batter during the third inning of a baseball game Sept. 25, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall, File)