SkyDrive Inc and Osaka Metro Co have announced plans for the “Osaka Diamond Routes”. These proposed eVTOL routes connect four key destinations in Osaka: Shin-Osaka/Umeda, Morinomiya, Tennoji/Abeno, and the Osaka Bay Area, said the companies in a press release.
“Market research has already identified these areas as critical hubs for the city’s future mobility network. SkyDrive and Osaka Metro plan to launch services in the Morinomiya area by around 2028, before working to gradually expand operations through 2030 and beyond.
Osaka Metro operates eight subway lines and the New Tram, an automated, driverless tram system. In August 2024, SkyDrive and Osaka Metro signed an agreement to jointly explore the commercialization of eVTOL services in Osaka in the years following the Osaka World Expo 2025. To pursue this goal, Osaka Metro established an “eVTOL Promotion Office” under the direct supervision of its president in October 2024. The two companies have worked together to assess market demand, potential takeoff and landing locations, and other factors affecting the commercial feasibility of an eVTOL business. These efforts culminated in today’s unveiling of the planned “Osaka Diamond Routes”, which form a core part of the initial concept for future eVTOL operations.
“SkyDrive and Osaka Metro will continue to collaborate closely with the government, Osaka Prefecture and the Osaka City authorities, as well as other relevant organizations and business partners, to bring these commercial services to market,” says the press release. “Key areas of focus include finalizing vertiport locations and completing the further studies required to establish flight routes. SkyDrive and Osaka Metro also plan to roll out a phased expansion of these services, first into the surrounding suburbs, and then into the greater Kansai region. Together, the two companies seek to unlock the potential of air mobility and provide passengers with added value through new air transport services, developing an upgraded transport infrastructure that will enhance Osaka’s reputation as a leading city for innovation and tourism.”
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Concept Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dD8PA1NISg