TOYOTA, Japan. SkyDrive Inc. (SkyDrive), a leading Japanese developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, 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 commercialisation 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, for the support eVTOL services.
SkyDrive’s Ongoing Initiatives in the Osaka Area
Prior to May 8 consortium launch, SkyDrive was 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 programme helps to increase public awareness and acceptance of eVTOL technology.
The Path Forward
In March 2026, the Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) declared its intention to support the introduction of commercial eVTOL services as part of its commitment to leveraging the legacy of the Osaka Expo, publishing its vision which envisions an air mobility area serviced by around 100 eVTOL aircraft based in and around Osaka Bay. The vision aims to achieve this goal by 2035.
Seen from a global perspective, these initiatives now underway in Osaka and the wider Kansai region to prepare for the commercial introduction of eVTOL are at the forefront of the industry, serving as a leading example of public-private cooperation. Together with this new consortium and other stakeholders, SkyDrive is harnessing the dynamism of the Kansai region to bring eVTOL to the public.
