ANA Holdings and Joby Aviation today announced a significant expansion of their relationship to bring electric air taxi service to Japan, say the companies in a press release.
“Under new terms, the two companies intend to establish a joint venture and plan to deploy more than 100 Joby aircraft within a new air taxi ecosystem across Japan. Starting in Tokyo, ANA HD and Joby are targeting a phased rollout in the coming years. The expanded partnership is intended to accelerate the bold, shared vision of the two companies to transform urban mobility in the region.”
“Our expanded partnership with Joby, a company with exceptional technology and vision, represents a pivotal step forward,” said Koji Shibata, President and CEO of ANA HD. “Air taxi service will directly contribute to addressing Japan’s urban transportation difficulties, ultimately enhancing regional exchange and providing a new, efficient means of travel. Demonstration flights at the Expo are the first step in addressing that challenge. Alongside our partners, we are dedicated to building this future while adhering to the highest safety standards developed by the ANA Group.”
ANA HD and Joby plan to accelerate the development of the necessary ecosystem for the successful implementation of air taxi services across Japan—including a network of vertiports, pilot training programs, and aircraft maintenance support—by further strengthening collaboration with national and local governments, as well as private sector companies, continues the press release. One such partner is Toyota Motor Corporation, a key collaborator and investor in Joby.
Joby will showcase its eVTOL aircraft, featuring a special ANA livery, through public demonstration flights and operations from October 1-13 at EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. Piloted operations, including vertical takeoffs, full transition to wingborne flight, and landings, will occur at the Expo venue in western Osaka City. Further details on this will be announced closer to the event.
For more information
https://www.jobyaviation.com/news/joby-ana-expanded-partnership/