ANA Holdings (ANA) and Joby Aviation, Inc., a company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, have announced their intent to establish a joint venture and plan to deploy more than 100 Joby aircraft within a new air taxi ecosystem across Japan.
The announcement said this would expand the 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.
"Air taxi service will directly contribute to addressing Japan's urban transportation difficulties and providing a new, efficient means of travel," said Koji Shibata, president and CEO of ANA HD.
"We are excited about commencing discussions to establish a joint venture with Joby Aviation, and 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."
JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, noted that together with ANA, the company is setting a foundation to deliver Joby aircraft and build an entire air transport ecosystem woven into Japanese cities.
Joby's electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft lifts off like a helicopter, then transitions to fly forward like a plane, all with minimal acoustic impact and zero operating emissions.
ANA said these characteristics make it ideal for applications in congested urban areas. The aircraft, for example, is designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph (320km/h).
ANA and Joby also 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 like Toyota Motor Corporation, a key collaborator and investor in Joby.
