SkyDrive studies converting Osaka’s rooftop landing sites into eVTOL vertiports

Japanese eVTOL developer SkyDrive announced it will study repurposing existing rooftop emergency landing sites in Osaka City as eVTOL vertiports. This project, part of the Cabinet Office’s Super City Initiative, will be conducted with collaborating partners including Chodai Co. Ltd., Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc., and Organization of Airport Facilitation. Unlike the global eVTOL market’s primary focus on inter-city transport between major airports and suburban heliports, SkyDrive aims to make daily intra-city travel accessible using compact, quiet, and agile aircraft. This initiative represents a major milestone toward establishing eVTOLs as a practical, everyday transit option in central Osaka. The project will conduct a phased evaluation to determine the viability and prospects of repurposing existing building rooftop emergency landing zones in Osaka City into operational vertiports for eVTOL aircraft, focusing on the following core areas: Verification of Surrounding Airspace and Obstacle Limitation Surfaces: The study involves evaluating high-rise structures in Osaka City that feature established emergency landing zones (identified by an “H” symbol). By utilising airspace maps, the project will categorise and examine flight operations by district and confirm compliance with Civil Aeronautics Act standards. Wind and Noise Surveys Considering the Impact of Surrounding Buildings: The project will analyse locations where building-induced winds occur to clarify safe weather and operational requirements. Additionally, it will simulate noise levels during takeoff, landing and flight. Feasibility Study for Repurposing into Alternate eVTOL Vertiports: To evaluate the feasibility of establishing alternate vertiports for eVTOLs, the survey will assess floor load capacities to withstand aircraft landings, map out passenger movement flows during flight diversions, and establish logistics for transporting aircraft in cases of mechanical failure. Additionally, it will evaluate the feasibility of installing charging infrastructure, determine necessary upgrades or new installations for power receiving and transforming equipment, and calculate estimated project costs. Discussions Toward Formulating Coexistence Rules with Relevant Authorities: SkyDrive and its partners will consult with relevant organisations, including the Osaka Municipal Fire Department, to draft emergency scenarios and coexistence rules that balance the original purpose of “disaster response and lifesaving operations” with “ensuring safety in the daily operation of eVTOL.” Structure and Roles Local Governments Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City Administrative coordination and support for regulatory reforms within the National Strategic Special Zone framework. Leader Osaka Metro Project management, including coordination of target facilities, organizing operational conditions, and discussions with stakeholders. Member SkyDrive Inc. Survey design, including ensuring compliance under the Civil Aeronautics Act and drafting operational requirements and alternative measures. Partners Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. Inspection of electrical equipment in existing buildings and verification of the feasibility for installing charging infrastructure. Chodai Co., Ltd. Technical verification, including obstacle limitation surface simulations. Airport Environment Improvement Foundation (General Incorporated Foundation) Technical verification regarding noise impacts and related factors.   Following their collaboration at the Expo 2025 Osaka, SkyDrive and Osaka Metro are working toward the commercial launch of eVTOL services by approximately 2028 within Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City, areas recognized by the Cabinet Office as “Super City National Strategic Special Zones” for their commitment to an “optimally mobile society” through advanced technology. A significant obstacle to the widespread adoption of this next-generation mobility is the scarcity of vertiport hubs. Establishing new takeoff and landing sites from the ground up is particularly impractical in dense urban centers where available open space is severely limited. Currently, Osaka City contains 146 rooftop “emergency landing sites” (marked with an H), primarily on buildings over 100 meters tall as required by local fire safety regulations. While these sites constitute an established infrastructure network — complete with reinforced flooring, fire suppression systems, and lighting — their utilization is presently limited to emergency disaster relief. These valuable assets remain exclusively for emergency use because securing commercial passenger transport permits for their use as alternate vertiports remains a significant regulatory challenge. This initiative explores the feasibility of repurposing Osaka City’s rooftop “emergency landing sites” into alternate vertiports. By serving as backup landing facilities in unforeseen circumstances — such as when an aircraft cannot reach its intended destination — these sites offer critical support for the commercial rollout of eVTOL operations. This initiative leverages the National Strategic Special Zone framework to push forward technical verifications and operational framework developments. By addressing key urban constraints — namely high construction costs and scarce land — we aim to expedite the implementation of a secure urban air network and accelerate the broader adoption of eVTOL technology. The 146 existing rooftop emergency helipads across Osaka City were designed exclusively for disaster response, unlike most previous eVTOL hub projects that centered on constructing new infrastructure. Consequently, comprehensive operational guidelines and targeted regulatory frameworks for converting these sites into commercial vertiports are still being developed. A central element of this initiative combines desktop research with direct on-site building assessments. This dual approach provides the concrete operational and safety data required to obtain regulatory clearances. Ultimately, the insights gained will inform future vertiport construction standards. By adapting this methodology to other regions with comparable needs, we seek to accelerate the broader integration of next-generation mobility into daily life. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]