Airbus is partnering with Japanese helicopter operator Hiratagakuen to launch commercial transportation services with CityAirbus NextGen in Kansai region of Japan.
As part of the agreement, the two aviation agencies will first develop a simulation of several routes, concepts of operations (CONOPS), and essential equipment for safe eVTOL flights in the Kansai, region located in the southern-central region of Japan’s main island Honshu, with Kyoto and Osaka serving as the most prominent cities of the region.
A demonstration flight through the newly developed routes is scheduled for later this year.
Objectives of the Joint Venture
The two companies are conducting this venture with the following objectives:
- to implement air mobility services beyond urban environments
- to use cases ranging from air medical services to commercial air transport
- to maintain ecotourism in a variety of operational contexts
In order to reach the above-mentioned objectives, Airbus alongside Hiratagakuen will use an H135 helicopter to test communication technologies and navigation for safe operations of eVTOLs in metropolitan environments, while simulating CityAirbus NextGen’s flight configuration.
“We are very pleased to conduct a demonstration flight in the Osaka-Kansai region with Airbus for the future of mobility, using the latest H135 helicopter,” Vice President of Aviation Operation Division of Hiratagakuen Mitsuhiro Hirata said.
“We have been operating Airbus helicopters for many years and highly appreciate their high safety, performance, operational reliability, and proven after-sales support. We are aware that a revolution in air transportation is now approaching in the Osaka area, and we expect CityAirbus NextGen to play a central role in this revolution,” he added.
Earlier in September 2021, Airbus disclosed its eVTOL prototype CityAirbus NextGen and recently announced the build of a dedicated center to test the aircraft’s systems in the lead-up to its maiden flight.