Japan: SkyDrive, Osaka Metro “Unveil Plans for Future eVTOL Network in Osaka With Plans for Osaka Diamond Routes”
SkyDrive and Osaka Metro announced this week proposals for Osaka Diamond eVTOL Routes at the Osaka Roundtable, reports a press release. The Roundtable is an institution keen to bring Urban Air Mobility to one of the busiest cities in Asia.
These planned routes connect four key destinations in Osaka: Shin-Osaka/Umeda, Morinomiya, Tennoji/Abeno, and the Osaka Bay Area. The release explains, “Market research has already identified these areas as critical hubs for the city’s future mobility network.” The two companies aim to launch services in the Morinomiya area by around 2028, before working to gradually expand operations through 2030 and beyond.
Osaka Metro (OM) operates eight subway lines and the New Tram, an automated, driverless tram system. Each day, approximately 2.4 million passengers travel on the Osaka Metro rapid transit network.
The company is also advancing an urban Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) initiative called ‘e‑METRO,’ which integrates multiple modes of transportation including subways, buses, and taxis, to make Osaka a more convenient and connected city.
In August, the two companies signed an agreement to explore the commercialisation of eVTOL services in Osaka after the Osaka World Expo 2025. OM has established an ‘eVTOL Promotion Office’ under the direct supervision of its President, Hideaki Kawai, in October.

The release continues, “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.”
It goes on, “The proposed areas have been specifically selected to highlight Osaka’s breathtaking cityscapes and offer convenient access to major tourist attractions. SkyDrive’s eVTOL will transform intra-urban journeys into exciting and memorable experiences, giving passengers the opportunity to enjoy the city’s stunning aerial views while flying in privacy and comfort.”
The partners will continue to collaborate with the government, Osaka Prefecture and the Osaka City authorities, as well as other relevant organisations and business partners, to bring these commercial services to market.
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Important areas of focus include finalising vertiport locations and completing further studies required to establish flight routes. The two companies also plan to roll out a phased expansion of services, first into the surrounding suburbs, and then to the greater Kansai region.
For more information
https://www.osakametro.co.jp/en
(Images: SkyDrive)
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