Officials from the United States and Japan recently conducted a comprehensive tour of the Osakako Vertiport to evaluate the infrastructure and aircraft slated to anchor the region’s advanced air mobility network.
Richard Larsen, Consul General at the Consulate-General of the United States in Osaka-Kobe, and Daniel Edwards, Deputy Assistant Secretary at the United States Department of Transport, visited the facility located on the shore of Osaka Bay. The delegation, which included regulatory officials and personnel from the Consulate-General, was hosted by representatives from Osaka Metro, SkyDrive, and Soracle. These three organizations are collaborating to establish a viable electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) business centered around this specific hub.
The visit provided a technical overview of future vertiport operations, with the tour covering the passenger terminal, the hangar, and the dedicated takeoff and landing pad. By inspecting these core facilities, the delegation gained a detailed understanding of the logistical requirements for commercial air taxi services. SkyDrive presented a mockup of its SKYDRIVE aircraft, allowing guests to board the vehicle and receive briefings on the concrete plans for the introduction of advanced air mobility in the Kansai region.
Strategic discussions during the tour involved representatives from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These talks focused on the development of bilateral eVTOL regulations and the practicalities of international commercial operations. The meeting served to reinforce that vertiports are not simply landing sites but are critical infrastructure hubs for a new global industry.
SkyDrive will continue to work together with our partners in Japan and overseas to prepare for the future commercialization of eVTOL flights and accelerate the development of the key infrastructure required for safe and convenient air mobility. Through these discussions with the US Department of Transport, we could reconfirm the importance of international cooperation over these core facilities.
