OSAKA & TOYOTA, Japan. Osaka Metro Co., Ltd. (“Osaka Metro”) today announced the completion of the “OSAKAKO Vertiport”, a new eVTOL take off and landing facility intended to serve the venue of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai (“the Expo”). SkyDrive, an Aichi-based company preparing to provide commercial eVTOL services, will use the new vertiport for demonstration flights, which will take place as part of the Expo program. To mark the occasion, a completion ceremony was held in collaboration with Osaka City.
Background
Osaka Metro, a transportation provider aiming to make Osaka a significantly more convenient and comfortable city, operates nine metro lines and the New Tram, an automated, driverless service. As part of this mission, the company is promoting “e METRO”, an urban MaaS (Mobility as a Service) initiative designed to meet the diverse needs of customers by providing a unified mobility service that integrates various modes of transport, including future eVTOL flights.
SkyDrive’s eVTOL aircraft “SKYDRIVE” (*2) offers a new form of aerial mobility that enables fast and efficient short-to-medium-distance travel. In combination with existing land transport options, SKYDRIVE not only delivers versatility and convenience, it also has the potential to provide unique, high-value leisure travel experiences distinct from those offered by traditional mobility options such buses (whether scheduled or on-demand) and subway routes.
Recognizing the potential of eVTOL as a promising form of transportation, Osaka Metro, in August 2024, entered into a business partnership agreement with SkyDrive to realize an ideal mix of mobility options for its customers (*3).
In January 2024, Osaka Metro was chosen by the City of Osaka through an open bid process designed to select the future operator of a vertiport to serve the Expo venue in Osaka City’s Minato Ward.
Since winning that bid, Osaka Metro has been developing the vertiport at Osaka Port’s Chuo Pier (central pier) (*4). During the Expo, SKYDRIVE is scheduled to operate demo flights between the EXPO Vertiport, a vertiport located inside the Expo site, and the OSAKAKO Vertiport (*5) .
The name “OSAKAKO Vertiport” references “Osaka Ko”, the name of the nearest station, which is on Osaka Metro’s Chuo Line. Through the Expo 2025 program, Osaka Metro hopes to promote wider recognition of the word “vertiport” as a term for describing an eVTOL takeoff and landing site.
Facility Overview
The vertiport facilities include a hangar for the maintenance, refueling, and storage of eVTOLs, a takeoff and landing area, and a passenger facility where users can experience the simulated check-in and boarding of a mock-up eVTOL aircraft through a process that includes facial recognition. The vertiport is also designed to serve as a mobility hub, connecting eVTOLs with other transportation options such as on-demand buses and shared bicycles.
A ceremony was held on Friday, March 28, 2025 to celebrate the completion of the OSAKAKO Vertiport. During the ceremony, speakers shared their expectations for the future role of the facility. SkyDrive also unveiled a full-scale mockup of the “SKYDRIVE,” the aircraft which will conduct demonstration flights during the Expo. Following the unveiling, members of the press were invited to board the mockup.
The Role of OSAKAKO Vertiport
In addition to its role as a hub for eVTOL demonstration flights during the Expo, the vertiport also will host events open to the general public from mid-April 2025 onwards. These events will feature exhibits showcasing the development of eVTOL technology. Visitors will also have the opportunity to experience boarding a mock-up eVTOL aircraft through a seamless process that includes facial recognition. Reservations for these events will be available on Osaka Metro’s official website starting mid-April 2025.
Activities related to eVTOLs will also be held in conjunction with nearby regional events, allowing visitors to familiarize themselves with the aircraft in a variety of different settings.
