Japan’s Sojitz Corporation, BETA Technologies Inc, Yamato Holdings and the city of Kitakyushu have today reached a basic agreement to conduct a joint verification test for electric aircraft based at Kitakyushu Airport.
According to a press release:
“In addition to verifying the economic rationale, operational aspects such as loading and unloading of cargo, and technical aspects such as charging equipment, the parties plan to conduct a test flight using BETA ALIA CTOL in the summer of 2025, and will conduct a joint verification test for the practical application of electric aircraft for cargo transportation. This is expected to be the first point-to-point flight in Japan for cargo transportation by electric aircraft. Through this verification test, we aim to build a sustainable logistics network, including revitalizing regional areas through speedy transportation, achieving decarbonization in logistics, and strengthening logistics networks for regional areas and remote islands.”
The ALIA CTOL aims to obtain type certification in the United States by the end of 2025. Yamato HD announced the Yamato Group’s medium-term management plan “Sustainability Transformation 2030 – 1st Stage -” in February 2024 , and aims to create “new logistics” and “new value” with a wide variety of partners to contribute to the realization of a sustainable future. Kitakyushu City aims to create new businesses and services based at Kitakyushu Airport. In this verification test the partners will simulate the economic rationality of replacing conventional means of transport with electric aircraft, verify operational aspects such as operations when loading and unloading cargo, and technical aspects such as infrastructure such as charging equipment. The partners also plan to conduct test flights between two points, Kitakyushu Airport and Miyazaki Airport.
“Sojitz will not only coordinate the entire verification process, including procedures for the domestic use of the aircraft and test flights, but will also work with BETA to build the necessary systems for introducing the equipment into the country. In addition to providing the aircraft, BETA will be responsible for operating the aircraft and charging infrastructure, advising on efficient cargo transport, and operating test flights. Yamato Holdings will provide operational advice regarding cargo transport. Kitakyushu City will support coordination with the various infrastructure and relevant government agencies based at Kitakyushu Airport that will be necessary to proceed with this verification.”
For more information
https://www.yamato-hd.co.jp/news/2024/newsrelease_20250120_1.html