SkyDrive, partners launch Japanese vertiport consortium

EVTOL developer SkyDrive announced the formation of Japan’s first consortium for the commercial operation and joint usage of an eVTOL vertiport. The new consortium, which brings together the Osaka prefectural government, Osaka municipal government, Osaka Metro Co., Ltd., Soracle and Marubeni Corporation, will support the commercialisation of Osakako Vertiport, a dedicated eVTOL takeoff and landing site located on the shoreline of Osaka Bay. The formation of the new consortium was announced during a kickoff meeting held to promote the establishment of commercial eVTOL services at the vertiport, which is designed to serve as a hub for urban air mobility across the Kansai region. During the meeting held to mark the launch of the consortium, the consortium partners discussed a roadmap for public-private cooperation over the commercialisation of eVTOL services based at the Osakako Vertiport. Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura shared his resolve to launch eVTOL services in Osaka, showing his strong support and expectations for the vertiport’s success saying “In order to realise the ‘Advanced Air Mobility Revolution’ that allows people to fly freely starting from the Osakako Vertiport, we are committed to driving this initiative forward as a pioneer in Japan, in collaboration with all partners.” During the meeting, the attending organisations unanimously accepted a proposal from Osaka Metro to form a consortium to organise and introduce commercial eVTOL operations at the vertiport. During the meeting, SkyDrive also revealed a roadmap for the commercialization of eVTOL services, showing the role played by the vertiport, before going on to detail how, with the particular support of the Osaka prefectural government, Osaka municipal government, and Osaka Metro, the consortium will investigate the use of existing infrastructure, such as the 146 emergency helicopter landing pads currently located throughout Osaka, to support eVTOL services. (IMAGE: SkyDrive) SkyDrive is already working together with governmental and private-sector organisations to prepare for the introduction of commercial eVTOL in the Osaka area. These initiatives include a partnership with Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City signed in September 2021 and a business partnership agreement with Osaka Metro concluded in August 2024. In 2025, SkyDrive also showcased demonstration flights of its aircraft at the site of the 2025 Osaka Expo and also at the Osakako Vertiport, the dedicated eVTOL facility built by Osaka Metro next to Osaka Bay which is the focus of the new consortium’s activities. While the consortium aims to promote the commercial use of the vertiport, SkyDrive and Osaka Metro are already harnessing the facility as a legacy of the Expo by working together on a calendar of vertiport events including exhibitions, chances to board mockups of the aircraft, and panel discussions on eVTOL. Together, this public-facing program helps to increase public awareness and acceptance of eVTOL technology. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]