Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways has announced a partnership with Joby Aviation that will see it introduce air taxi services in Osaka. Using all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, ANA will slash journey times between Osaka Station and the city's Kansai International Airport, which is situated on an artificial island.

An exciting new partnership

The deal, which the two companies made public yesterday, will also involve Japanese automotive giant Toyota. The car manufacturer intends to use the project to explore "opportunities such as ground-based transportation." Its presence demonstrates backing from a key player in the Japanese transport industry.

Joby Aviation, meanwhile, is a Californian air taxi venture, which also has an overseas office in Munich. It has developed piloted five-seat eVTOL aircraft, which will "make convenient, emissions-free air travel an everyday reality." The company's founder and CEO, JoeBen Bevirt, welcomed the partnership, stating that:

"We’re humbled to be working with ANA, an airline that has deservedly been awarded SKYTRAX’s 5-Star rating nine years in a row, and we look forward to working closely with them to bring our aerial ridesharing service to reality in Japan."

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Joby Aviation has already completed more than 1,000 test flights. Photo: Joby Aviation

Cutting journey times

Joby Aviation reports that its all-electric five-seaters will have a range of 150 miles (241 kilometers), and be able to travel at speeds of up to 200 mph (321 km/h). Their electric propulsion will also result in a low noise profile, meaning that they can operate in urban areas without fear of violating any noise pollution protocols.

Their ability to operate in urban environments makes them particularly well-suited to Japan. After all, 92% of its population lives in such areas. Furthermore, many of its airports are located offshore on artificial islands, away from the city center.

For example, Kansai International (KIX) is more than 40 minutes from Osaka Station by road. Meanwhile, Joby's aircraft would be able to make the journey in just 15 minutes. ANA's Representative Director and Executive VP, Koji Shibata, stated:

"Our customers value efficiency very highly, so being able to provide them with the option to travel rapidly - and sustainably - from an international airport to a downtown location is very appealing."

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The air taxis would allow greater integration between air and rail travel in Osaka. Image: Google Maps

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A similar project elsewhere in Japan

Interestingly, All Nippon Airways isn't the only Japanese airline with ambitions to introduce eVTOL air taxis. Indeed, Simple Flying reported last year that flag carrier Japan Airlines has similar intentions. The oneworld member plans to receive up to 100 Vertical Aerospace VA-X4 aircraft, which it hopes to use to launch an eVTOL ridesharing business by the middle of the present decade.

The mid-2020s look set to represent a key period for eVTOL technology in Japan. This is because, in 2025, the World Expo will take place in none other than Osaka.

As for Joby Aviation and ANA's project, it may well prove to be a success story, given Toyota's involvement in the project. The Japanese car manufacturer has worked with the Californian air taxi venture since 2019, investing close to $400 million in the process. As such, the dream of air taxis in Japan may be closer than expected.

What do you make of this concept? Would you be tempted to make the journey between Kansai International Airport and Osaka Station? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!