Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, 15 firms start study on commercial flying cars in Kansai
In short
Mitsubishi UFJ Bank said on Oct 6 that it has begun joint consideration with about 15 companies toward commercial flying-car operations in the Kansai region, aiming for service as early as 2028. The partners plan to use aircraft from Skydrive of Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, and are considering a joint venture to run the operations, with a decision or launch targeted around summer 2027.
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Mitsubishi UFJ Bank said on Oct 6 that it has begun joint consideration with about 15 companies toward commercial operation of flying cars in the Kansai region, with service aimed at starting as early as 2028, according to Nikkei and Sankei Shimbun. The participants come from aviation, tourism, insurance, transport and energy, the reports said. [ 1 , 2 ]
The partners plan to use aircraft developed by Skydrive of Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, and to build a transport network linking locations across Kansai, Nikkei reported. A joint venture to run the service is under consideration: Nikkei said a decision on setting it up is planned for around summer 2027, while Sankei Shimbun said a joint venture would be established around summer 2027. [ 1 , 2 ]
Participants include Ikeda Senshu Bank, Mitsubishi HC Capital and Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance, along with transport, tourism and energy companies, the reports said. Nikkei reported that a secretariat will be set up first and that regular meetings of the participating companies will examine the feasibility of the business, with details to be decided later. [ 1 , 2 ]
At a press conference in Osaka, Mitsubishi UFJ Bank senior executive officer Shin Kitamura said flying cars are expected to be used widely, including improving access to tourist sites and in disaster and medical response, and that the aim is to consider how to develop “air mobility” as new social infrastructure, Nikkei and Sankei Shimbun reported. Skydrive executive officer Yasushi Ono said social implementation cannot be achieved by the aircraft maker alone and that the company will do its utmost; Sankei Shimbun reported he called the joint consideration “very welcome”. [ 1 , 2 ]
Sankei Shimbun reported that the government aims for commercial operations to start in 2027-28, and that the Osaka-Kansai Expo has accelerated moves toward implementation. It said Kansai is seen as having high potential because of its transport network including multiple airports, tourism resources and industrial base, but that certification of aircraft, operations management and environmental, insurance and risk issues remain broad challenges that make entry difficult for individual companies. [ 2 ]
Nippon TV News reported on Oct 7 that 15 companies from finance, transport and infrastructure are taking part, with the stated aim of having diverse companies use their strengths to support next-generation transport infrastructure. It said a company to run the operations is also being considered, with the start of operations targeted by the fiscal year after next. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The plan brings banks, insurers, transport, tourism and energy companies into one cross-industry group, an attempt to spread the cost and risk of a business that individual companies have found hard to enter. If the joint venture is formed, the Kansai region would be an early testing ground for flying cars as a transport service rather than a demonstration. The documents give no indication that aircraft certification, routes or infrastructure have been settled.
Key facts
- Mitsubishi UFJ Bank announced on Oct 6 that it began joint consideration with about 15 companies toward commercial flying-car operations in the Kansai region. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The partners plan to use aircraft made by Skydrive of Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. [ 1 , 2 ]
- A joint venture to operate the service is under consideration, with a decision or establishment targeted around summer 2027. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Nikkei reported the aim is to start service as early as 2028, and Sankei Shimbun reported operations could begin in 2028 at the earliest. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Participants include Ikeda Senshu Bank, Mitsubishi HC Capital and Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance, plus companies in transport, tourism and energy, according to the reports. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Sankei Shimbun reported the government aims for commercial operations to start in 2027-28, and that the Osaka-Kansai Expo has accelerated moves toward implementation. [ 2 ]
- Nippon TV News reported the tie-up covers finance, transport and infrastructure companies and that operations are targeted by the fiscal year after next. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Mitsubishi UFJ Bank announced on Oct 6 that it began joint consideration with about 15 companies toward commercial flying-car operations in the Kansai region. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The partners plan to use aircraft from Skydrive of Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. [ 1 , 2 ]
- A joint venture to run the operations is under consideration, with a decision or establishment targeted around summer 2027. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Executives of Mitsubishi UFJ Bank and Skydrive spoke about the plan at a press conference. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- When the joint venture would be established. Nikkei says a decision on setting it up is planned for around summer 2027, while Sankei Shimbun says establishment is targeted for around summer 2027.
- The exact start date of commercial operations. Nikkei and Sankei Shimbun say as early as 2028, while Nippon TV News says operations are targeted by the fiscal year after next; the documents do not reconcile the wording.
- The full list of participating companies and the details of the business. Nikkei says the business content will be decided later and Sankei Shimbun refers to about 15 companies, so no complete list is given.
- Routes, ports, charging infrastructure and risk arrangements. The documents list these as issues to be addressed and give no agreed plans.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Nikkei reports that Mitsubishi UFJ Bank announced it had begun joint consideration with about 15 companies toward commercial flying-car operations in the Kansai region. [ 1 ]
- Sankei Shimbun reports the same announcement, adding that a joint venture could be set up around summer 2027 and that the government aims for commercial operations in 2027-28. [ 2 ]
- Nippon TV News reports the tie-up, saying operations are targeted by the fiscal year after next. [ 3 ]