Jinju-based ANH Structure Signs Long-Term Aircraft Seat Supply Contract with British Aerospace Company

Seats for British company Vertical Aerospace's Valo electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
Handling everything from design and development to certification and manufacturing, expanding participation in the global aircraft supply chain
Jinju City to strengthen its aerospace industry base and support local companies' entry into overseas markets

ANH Structure Co., Ltd., an aerospace company based in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, is expanding its participation in the global aircraft supply chain after signing a long-term contract with a British aircraft developer to supply seats for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Jinju City announced that ANH Structure, headquartered in Jinju and led by CEO Ahn Hyun-soo, signed a long-term aircraft seat supply contract with Vertical Aerospace, a UK-based company led by CEO Stuart Simpson, at the 2026 Jinju K-Entrepreneurship International Forum held at the Gyeongnam e-Sports Stadium on October 19.

[Photo courtesy of Jinju City] Jinju Mayor Jo Gyu-il and representatives from ANH Structure and the UK's Vertical Aerospace pose for a commemorative photo after signing a long-term seat supply agreement for the electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft Valo at the 2026 Jinju K-Entrepreneurship International Forum, held at Gyeongnam Esports Stadium.

Under the contract, ANH Structure will handle the design and development, certification, manufacturing, and supply of all seats, including cockpit and passenger seats, for Vertical Aerospace's Valo electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, which is under development.

ANH Structure is expanding into the aircraft cabin and interior business, drawing on the expertise it has built up in aircraft structural design and manufacturing.

The contract will allow the company to participate not only in aircraft parts and structural component manufacturing, but also in the design, certification, and supply of aircraft seating systems.

Vertical Aerospace, the company on the other side of the contract, is an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft developer headquartered in Bristol, England. It is pursuing certification and commercialization of the Valo for the next-generation air mobility market.

Vertical Aerospace has said it has secured approximately 1,500 pre-orders. However, that figure is the pre-order volume announced by the company and should be distinguished from the confirmed delivery quantity under this seat supply contract.

ANH Structure plans to expand its participation in the global aircraft manufacturing supply chain by leveraging its aircraft seat technology and capabilities related to approvals from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The company is also pursuing plans to expand its business into electric aircraft, advanced air mobility (AAM), and the defense sector.

Jinju City views the contract as an example of a local aerospace company entering overseas markets.

The city is working to build up the related industrial base around the Gyeongnam Aerospace National Industrial Complex and is pursuing policies to support aerospace companies' technology development and entry into overseas markets.

The Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) rotorcraft flight center is currently operating in Jinju, and a project to establish a Future Aircraft (AAV) Demonstration Center is also underway.

Jinju City plans to link these research, testing, and demonstration facilities with the Aerospace National Industrial Complex to attract investment and businesses from the aerospace sector and expand local companies' technology development and production capabilities.

In particular, the city aims to support local companies' entry into global supply chains by building an industrial base that spans research and development, testing, demonstration, and production.

Jinju Mayor Cho Gyu-il said, "It is significant that a local company will participate as a supplier in a global future aircraft development project. We will work to attract companies and create jobs in the aerospace sector by addressing businesses' challenges and supporting the development of follow-up cooperative projects."

Meanwhile, the materials provided did not disclose the specific contract value, delivery schedule, or confirmed supply volume.

The contract is drawing attention because it will enable a Jinju-based aerospace company to participate in the seat design, certification, manufacturing, and supply for an overseas aircraft development project.

As actual deliveries will depend on the aircraft's certification and commercialization schedule, the contract value, supply schedule, and effects on local production and employment will need to be assessed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.