A regional initiative is exploring how future flight technologies could transform connectivity across Somerset, Devon, and the Isles of Scilly.
The Future Air – Southwest project, running from September 2025 to March 2026, brings together aviation experts, planners, and innovators to accelerate the commercialisation of eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) and ZeCTOL (Zero-Emission Conventional Take-Off and Landing) aircraft in the South West.
Led by a consortium of partners including SWFFIZ (South West Future Flight Innovation Zone), the project will evaluate the regulatory, operational, financial, and social landscape for future flight deployment, producing a series of reports and business cases to guide development.
Why the South West?
The region’s unique geography and transport challenges make it a prime candidate for future flight services:
A natural peninsula with limited rail and congested road networks
Seasonal peaks in tourism demand
Home to the UK’s only two public commercial helicopter services
With expected aircraft capabilities ranging from 20–60 nautical miles, 5–30 passengers, and flight times of 10–20 minutes, future flight could offer a clean, fast alternative for regional travel, especially as technologies mature between 2027 and 2030.
What the Project Will Deliver
The Future Air – Southwest team will produce:
A Concept of Operations (CONOPS) report
A commercialisation pathway
Development plans for testing and trials
A business case for operators, including Skybus
Insights aligned with local planning priorities and the region’s £1Bn transport infrastructure pipeline
SWFFIZ’s Role
SWFFIZ is proud to support this project as part of its wider mission to position Somerset and Devon as launchpads for future flight innovation. By partnering with CAA Innovation Services and other stakeholders, SWFFIZ is helping shape the regulatory and operational frameworks that will enable safe, scalable deployment of new aviation technologies.
This project complements SWFFIZ’s existing support offer, including free early-stage regulatory advice for eligible companies based in or planning to operate from Somerset or Devon.
Looking Ahead
As the UK pushes toward net-zero aviation, regional initiatives like Future Air – Southwest are critical to unlocking real-world deployment. With strong local engagement and national alignment, the South West is ready to lead the way.
SWFFIZ / Somerset Council commissioned the University of Plymouth to create a Technology Adoption Roadmap exploring how emerging technologies (in drones tech and satellite applications) can help farmers and land managers across Somerset and Devon address real-world challenges, improve productivity and support environmental outcomes.
This SWFFIZ pilot explored how drones, digital asset management platforms and data analytics can help public sector organisations and housing providers inspect, monitor and manage property assets more efficiently.
A new report has identified the skills, training and talent pipeline needed to support the growth of the aerospace, aviation and advanced Future Flight technologies sector across Somerset and Devon.
Somerset Council were recently part of the Connected Places Catapult IPEC cohort looking at how to address the challenge of procurement for innovative, first of a kind services utilising drone tech and data capture.
Project RESCUE (funded via the Innovate UK Future Flight Programme) explored how drone technology can strengthen Somerset’s response to flooding and other environmental emergencies by providing faster, safer and more accurate intelligence before, during and after an incident. The project brings together public sector partners, emergency responders and industry to develop a sustainable drone-enabled resilience service for Somerset.
