垂直宇航公司与丸红公司加速推进日本 AAM 电动空中出租车航线计划

New flight corridors in the Kansai region aim to reduce travel times by 80% as the partnership targets piloted demonstration flights by 2026

故事和图片来源：Joe Macey
aaminternational.com

Vertical Aerospace and Marubeni Corporation are accelerating the development of a commercial roadmap for electric air taxi services across Japan.

The collaboration focuses on establishing an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) route network, moving toward the commercial deployment of zero-emission flight. This initiative includes plans for piloted demonstration flights in the Osaka Bay area, currently targeted for 2026. The partnership leverages Marubeni’s extensive experience in aviation, infrastructure, and mobility to build the necessary operating ecosystem.

Technical evaluations of a flagship corridor in the Kansai region suggest that electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft could reduce travel times by nearly 80% compared to traditional ground transport. The companies are progressing several specific use cases, including premium tourism links from urban centers to destinations like Awaji Island and Shodoshima. Additionally, the network is intended to provide airport shuttle connections between hubs such as Izumisano, Osaka, and Kobe, as well as supporting essential services like time-critical medical and logistics transport in the Osaka-Hyogo districts.

The primary vehicle for these operations will be Valo, Vertical’s certification aircraft. Valo is engineered to meet airliner-level safety standards, with the capability to fly at speeds up to 240 km/h and cover distances of up to 160 km with zero operating emissions. Beyond the pure electric model, Vertical is also developing a hybrid-electric variant designed for increased range and mission flexibility.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said, “Japan combines strong regulatory leadership, advanced infrastructure and trusted industrial partners, making it one of the most promising markets globally for Advanced Air Mobility. Our partnership with Marubeni and engagement with JCAB demonstrate our careful, step-by-step approach to developing real-world Valo operations, grounded in safety, certification and public acceptance.”

The regulatory path for entry into service was established in 2023 when the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) accepted Vertical’s application into the type validation program. Vertical is currently targeting airliner-level safety type certification for Valo with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in 2028, which will be followed by JCAB validation.

Marubeni has reinforced its commercial commitment to the project through pre-delivery slot reservation payments for the first 25 of a planned 200 Valo aircraft. This follows public engagement efforts at the 2025 Osaka World Expo, where the aircraft’s cabin experience and simulated flight routes were showcased to millions of visitors.

Toru Okazaki, Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Aerospace & Mobility Division, Marubeni Corporation, added, “We are pleased to take this next step with Vertical Aerospace as we progress toward demonstration flying in Japan. By advancing route development in the Kansai region, we see significant opportunities to build the operating infrastructure and ecosystem required to accelerate AAM adoption.”

Ongoing discussions with regional partners continue to focus on the development of physical operating infrastructure and the long-term aftermarket support required to sustain a national air taxi network.

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- EVVTOL 的目标是展示电动汽车和 VTOL 行业，并通过发布和展示尖端电动汽车和 E-VTOL 技术，介绍电动汽车和 VTOL 领域的主要车辆和零部件制造商。

- EVVTOL 的使命是推出多个技术展和博览会，包括有影响力的高级别电动汽车商业峰会，这些峰会以与电动汽车和电动交通行业、能源汽车信息技术和充电基础设施行业的主要制造商进行商业接触这两个主题为基础。这些活动是了解和讨论电动汽车和 VTOL 行业未来最新交通技术进步以及电池能源挑战的绝佳机会。

(evvtol.org) 877-4EV-VTOL (877-438-8865)

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全球电动混合动力汽车、电动航空、电动船舶技术及未来创新电动混合动力 VTOL 航空航天技术新闻！ EVHNews.com 是 EVVTOL 的全球数字技术平台。EVVTOL 是全球电动汽车/混合动力汽车、电动航空、电动 VTOL、电动船舶未来技术行业展示和展览活动组织机构，全球最大的电动汽车和电动 VTOL 品牌在此投资未来交通。 EV H News 致力于电动汽车和电动混合动力汽车、电动航空、电动飞行器、电动船舶等行业，包括电动交通、电动半导体和电动卡车。 这个数字平台将包括来自全球行业领导者的评论和资源，其中许多侧重于清洁蓝色技术和替代燃料（如适用）。EVH 新闻平台让所有人都能获得工具和信息，了解未来电子汽车、电子航空、电子海运、电子摩托车、电子半导体和电子卡车等电子运动行业的突破性电子技术。 关于 EVVTOL - EVVTOL 是一家新公司，以最具影响力的全球未来技术展/博览活动组织为品牌，其战略定位是成功满足电动汽车和 VTOL 运输行业客户的需求！ - EVVTOL 的目标是展示电动汽车和 VTOL 行业，并通过揭幕和展示最先进的电动汽车和 E-VTOL 技术，介绍电动汽车和 VTOL 的主要车辆和零部件制造商。 - EVVTOL 的使命是推出多个技术展和博览会，包括有影响力的高级别电动汽车商业峰会，这些峰会以与电动汽车和电动交通行业、能源汽车信息技术和充电基础设施行业的主要制造商进行商业接触为双重主题。这些活动是了解和讨论电动汽车和 VTOL 行业未来最新交通技术进步以及电池能源挑战的绝佳机会。 (evvtol.org) 877-4EV-VTOL (877-438-8865)

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