Electric flights to Comporta. How do they work and when will they start?

VIC Properties and Vertical Aerospace are set to introduce electric air mobility solutions in Portugal. The project will begin at Pinheirinho Comporta, a 400-hectare tourism and residential development, which will feature Six Senses Comporta as one of its main attractions.

1. What agreement was signed between VIC Properties and Vertical Aerospace?

The property developer VIC Properties and the British company Vertical Aerospace have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to assess the introduction of electric air mobility solutions in Portugal. Testing will begin on the 400-hectare site of the Pinheirinho Comporta tourism and residential development, which will include Six Senses Comporta amongst its main facilities.

2. Which aircraft will be used?

Valo, an electric aircraft capable of carrying four passengers, is the name of the transport solution currently being developed by Vertical Aerospace. The model will be able to cover distances of over 160 kilometres and reach a top speed of 250 kilometres per hour. The company presents it as a safe, sustainable and quiet alternative for short- and medium-haul journeys. A hybrid-electric version is also being developed, designed to offer greater range and operational flexibility.

3. Is the Valo an aeroplane or a helicopter?

The Valo is an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. “It takes off vertically, then transitions to forward flight sustained by its wings. Finally, it returns to vertical flight for landing,” explains VIC Properties.

4. Has the aircraft flown yet?

Yes, as part of its test programme, Vertical Aerospace has already carried out several flights with its prototypes. The most recent took place just over a week ago at the Farnborough International Airshow in England. The company carried out what it described as the first public flight of an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft at the event. The flight demonstrated how the different phases of the operation work, but did not yet constitute a commercial service.

5. Does the memorandum of understanding mean that the route is confirmed?

No. The memorandum of understanding lays the groundwork for the two companies to examine the conditions required for the future operation of Vertical’s electric aircraft at Pinheirinho Comporta.

The technical and operational requirements for flying to and from the development will be analysed once the aircraft begin commercial flights.

No aircraft orders, definitive dates, fixed routes or contracts for the operation of the service have been announced.

6. What transport links are being considered?

The companies will assess the possibility of providing direct connections between Lisbon – and possibly other parts of the country – and Pinheirinho Comporta. The property is situated 133 kilometres from Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon and around 100 kilometres from Beja Airport.

7. What will need to be built at Pinheirinho?

Under the memorandum that has now been signed, the companies will assess the infrastructure required to accommodate and operate electric aircraft, including charging facilities. The location, scale and investment required for this infrastructure have not yet been disclosed.

8. When might commercial flights begin?

VIC Properties and Vertical Aerospace currently expect the first commercial flights to begin in 2028.

Whether this timetable can be met will, however, depend on the progress of testing, the certification of the aircraft, the preparation of the infrastructure and the necessary operating licences.

The memorandum does not set a definitive date for the launch of the service to Pinheirinho Comporta.

9. Does Vertical have partnerships with other companies?

Yes. The Portuguese partnership follows on from Vertical Aerospace’s collaboration with Héli Air Monaco to explore future operations on the French Riviera. The routes under consideration include destinations such as Monaco, Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez.

10. What stage is Vertical Aerospace at?

The company is currently developing and testing the aircraft, whilst preparing for the certification process and future commercial production. In the first quarter of 2026, it completed the prototype’s flight test programme. Vertical has around 1,500 pre-orders across four continents. Its customers include American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL and Japan Airlines.