ANA and Joby Form Venture to Roll Out Electric Air Taxis in Japan

ANA Holdings and California-based Joby Aviation said they will establish a joint venture aimed at launching commercial electric air taxi services across Japan by 2025. The partners intend to deploy more than 100 of Joby’s electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft, beginning with routes in Tokyo and expanding to other cities over time. The five-seat aircraft, capable of speeds of about 200 miles per hour and producing zero operating emissions, will be showcased in public demonstration flights at Expo 2025 Osaka from Oct. 1-13. The two companies are working with Toyota Motor and national and local authorities to build vertiports, pilot-training programs and maintenance support needed for the new service.