Bell Textron has signed a memorandum of understanding with Sumitomo Corporation and Japan Airlines to explore mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) and to foster the required infrastructure and regulatory environment. This collaboration will inform the development of an on demand air mobility ecosystem utilising Bell's air mobility solutions including Bell's air taxi, the Nexus 4EX, in Japan.

“We are excited to take this substantial step to bring together an international airline, a major infrastructure provider, and a VTOL OEM to work collaboratively on a more connected mobility future,” says Bell vice president of innovation Scott Drennan. “While we are known for our 80 years of creating vertical lift aircraft that move people, goods and data, we also want to help shape the operational infrastructure in which they will live.”

Sumitomo is a 100-year-old global enterprise based in Japan that is working to leverage a broad business portfolio that spans metal products, transportation and construction systems, infrastructure, media and digital, living related and real estate, and mineral resources, energy and chemicals to support the development of the necessary infrastructure and business use cases for air mobility. “We have been inspired by Bell's vision and its capability of penetrating into this urban air mobility market,” adds executive officer lease, ship and aerospace business division Eiji Ishida. “All three companies bring a unique perspective, and we are excited to work together toward this new future.”

Japan Airlines managing executive officer of innovation Tomohiro Nishihata notes: “Japan Airlines is eager to explore the future of air travel beyond its existing framework, and we believe this is the right team to set the standard in Japan for future cities to implement urban air mobility systems.”

Together, the companies will develop policy and planning recommendations, identify entry into service use cases and pilot programmes, and develop infrastructure requirements that integrate into both current and future transportation systems and city standards to provide safe, accessible and sustainable multi-modal transportation system to communities.