Future Flight in Wales

Wales is setting a great example in its ambitition to reach net zero before 2050. And so we should given our rich resources in renewable energy. I look out of my study over the Cleddau and see very clearly the effect of restless wind and wave and tide.

In setting the pace, we have an opportunity to be at the forefront of emerging industries, creating high quality jobs. Green, short range aviation is one such industry.

And in future flight, we have a third dimension to the opportunity; to improve our transport infrastructure, bringing together North and South, capital and regions. In a few short years, VTOL (vertical take-off and landing vehicles) will travel point to point at 175mph, improving emergency response and enabling rapid reliable business travel.

As one small example, international travellers will be able to go from Cardiff city centre to LHR airside in under 1 hour bringing the Welsh business community that much closer to world markets.

This is not science fiction. The capital markets and leading airlines have made hard financial commitments to multiple vehicle manufacturers - see for example https://hub.united.com/2021-02-10-united-to-work-with-archer-aviation-to-accelerate-production-of-advanced-short-haul-electric-aircraft-2650426294.html