Osaka/Seongnam - Osaka-based SKY TAXI is buying 50 electric vertical take-off aircraft from South Korean aircraft manufacturer PLANA. These will be used to serve routes within Osaka Prefecture from 2025. Pilots are currently being trained and operational tests are being conducted.

The Japanese air taxi business SKY TAXI(SoraTobu Taxi Co., Ltd.), which was formed in 2022 by the Daiho Taxi Group, has signed a letter of intent and a memorandum of understanding with the South Korean advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft developer PLANA for the delivery of 50 hybrid electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. According to a statement from PLANA, SKY TAXI is launching air routes to connect city centres in the prefecture of Osaka. As well as introducing new aircraft, it is currently training pilots and conducting operational tests.

The routes are expected to be operational in time for the 2025 Osaka Expo, writes the statement. SKY TAXI selected PLANA’s CP-01 aircraft model due to its “significantly longer flight range through utilization of a hybrid approach”. Both partners will collaborate on the development of the aircraft, as well as on operational and interior design concepts.

SKY TAXI CEO Takuto Hojo is putting great ambition into this collaboration: "This joint project between PLANA and SKY TAXI will have a great impact on the global AAM industry by players from Asia," he is quoted as saying in the statement. "We are committed to developing the best business with PLANA so that we can be a model case for one of Asia’s leading AAM industries." ce/em