Tech ANA to launch affordable air taxi service in Japan by 2027

The skies above Tokyo could soon be buzzing with flying taxis, as ANA Holdings Inc. unveiled ambitious plans to roll out an airborne taxi service in 2027 or later. In an announcement on 5 August, ANA said it will form a joint venture with Joby Aviation, a U.S.-based startup known for developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft—commonly referred to as flying cars.



The service is expected to debut in the Tokyo metropolitan area, dramatically cutting the journey time between central Tokyo and Narita Airport from the current 60 to 90 minutes by car to roughly 15 minutes. ANA aims to keep fares affordable enough for regular use, not just luxury travel. Looking ahead, the company plans to expand the service to other parts of Japan, including the Kansai region, with more than 100 flying vehicles eventually in operation.

The company said it plans to make fare prices affordable enough for everyday use. In the future, the company plans to expand the service to other regions across Japan, including Kansai, with more than 100 flying cars in operation. Koji Shibata, ANA Holdings president, said, "Leveraging ANA's expertise, we will create a new mode of air transportation." The flying vehicle, which is undergoing multiple test flights in preparation for commercial operations, is a five-seater with a top speed of 320 kph. Demonstration flights will be conducted for the public at the Osaka Kansai Expo starting from 1 October.

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