Osaka Metro Co., Ltd. has completed construction of the OSAKAKO Vertiport, a new takeoff and landing site designed to support eVTOL operations for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
The vertiport, located at Chuo Pier in Osaka Port, will serve as a key node in Japan’s demonstration of advanced air mobility infrastructure.
The facility will support test flights of the SkyDrive SKYDRIVE eVTOL aircraft, which will be conducted during the Expo in partnership with the City of Osaka. A formal completion ceremony was held to mark the occasion, where stakeholders including SkyDrive and local officials outlined their vision for integrating eVTOL technology into urban transportation systems.
As part of its broader mission to enhance urban mobility, Osaka Metro is leading the “e METRO” initiative—an ambitious urban MaaS (Mobility as a Service) strategy. By integrating eVTOLs with existing transit networks such as its nine metro lines and the driverless New Tram service, Osaka Metro aims to offer seamless, multimodal travel experiences.
The company’s collaboration with SkyDrive Inc., based in Aichi Prefecture, began in August 2024 through a formal business partnership. This joint effort is focused on developing practical and scalable eVTOL operations that enhance mobility flexibility and create new modes of leisure and intermodal travel across Osaka.
SkyDrive’s eVTOL aircraft—named SKYDRIVE—is engineered to offer efficient, low-emission transport over short to medium distances. Its introduction represents a new dimension in urban air mobility, complementing ground-based options such as buses, on-demand shuttles, and subways. Beyond transportation, the aircraft is expected to offer elevated leisure travel experiences not possible with conventional transport systems.
Development and Purpose of the OSAKAKO Vertiport
In January 2024, Osaka Metro was selected through a public bidding process as the future operator of a vertiport facility for Expo 2025, to be located in Minato Ward, Osaka City. Since then, the company has developed the OSAKAKO Vertiport at Chuo Pier, with operations scheduled to begin during the Expo.
During the six-month event, demonstration flights will connect the newly completed OSAKAKO Vertiport with the EXPO Vertiport, which is located within the Expo site itself. These flights are intended to showcase the feasibility, safety, and public appeal of urban eVTOL operations.
The name “OSAKAKO Vertiport” is derived from Osaka-Ko Station on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line, reinforcing the facility’s integration with the city’s public transportation ecosystem. Through this high-profile platform, Osaka Metro aims to familiarize the public with the concept of “vertiports” and their future role in smart city infrastructure.
Facility Overview and Capabilities
The OSAKAKO Vertiport has been designed as a comprehensive eVTOL operations center and public engagement hub. The facility features:
- A hangar for aircraft maintenance, storage, and refueling
- A designated takeoff and landing area for eVTOLs
- A passenger terminal offering simulated boarding experiences
- A full-scale mock-up of the SKYDRIVE aircraft
- Facial recognition-enabled check-in processes
- Multimodal connections to buses, shared bicycles, and other mobility services
This immersive facility aims to educate visitors while supporting operational trials and public demonstrations.
Completion Ceremony and Public Engagement
On March 28, 2025, Osaka Metro hosted an official completion ceremony for the vertiport. During the event, attendees—including members of the press—were introduced to the SKYDRIVE mock-up and given the opportunity to board the aircraft through the simulated boarding process.
From mid-April 2025, the vertiport will also host public events featuring exhibitions on eVTOL technology and advanced air mobility. Visitors will be able to experience the boarding process of the SKYDRIVE aircraft firsthand, including its facial recognition system. Reservations for these experiences will be available via Osaka Metro’s official website.
To broaden outreach, related eVTOL events will also be held in coordination with nearby regional programs, helping more residents and visitors become acquainted with this emerging mode of transport.
