Joby and ANA Launch Public Electric Air Taxi Flights at Expo 2025 in Osaka
The Joby eVTOL demo flight - which marked the first of its kind at a world expo - marked another step toward bringing electric air mobility to Japan.
(Tokyo and Santa Cruz, Ca.) Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY) and ANA Holdings (TSE: 9202) announced today the completion of a successful public flight demonstration of Joby’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at the Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan – marking the first-ever air taxi demonstration to take place at a world expo event.
Photo of Joby’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, flying an ANA livery while showcasing its quiet, all-electric flight technology for Expo 2025 Osaka attendees, courtesy of Joby Aviation.
Over the course of the 13-day expo, Joby plans to conduct more than 20 flights, per today’s press release from Joby.
Joby and ANA HD are currently progressing toward development of a national air taxi ecosystem in Japan, with plans for a phased rollout beginning in Tokyo, per Joby.
“Japan has led the world in transforming ground transportation with its world-class automotive industry and iconic bullet trains,” said Joby’s CEO and Founder JoeBen Bevirt. “Now, Japan is poised to lead the world again, this time in the air. With these flights and our world-class partners, we’re now positioned to lean in on the important work of engaging communities, collaborating with regulators and bringing on more partners to make our dream a reality.”
The Expo 2025 demonstration was also designed to help regulators and communities prepare for the new technology. The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) will use the data gathered from flights to guide rules and safety standards for advanced air mobility, according to Joby.
With attendance at Expo 2025 expected to reach 200,000 visitors per day, the flights are also a chance to build public trust and excitement for air taxis, per Joby.
“Joby’s air taxi demonstration flight at the Expo represents a significant step toward bringing our air taxi service to life in Japan," said Koji Shibata, President and CEO of ANA HD. “With the support of national and local government officials, as well as private-sector partners helping us build this future together, we intend to create the wings for a new era of air mobility.”
According to Joby, both Joby and ANA plan to roll out air taxi services in phases, beginning in Tokyo. Their work includes setting up vertiports, training pilots, and building maintenance systems.
Joby’s aircraft, which can carry one pilot and four passengers at speeds up to 200 mph, is designed to cut travel times dramatically while producing less noise and pollution than traditional transportation. With Toyota (NYSE: TM) as a key partner and investor, Joby says Japan could become one of the first countries to widely adopt air taxis.
