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Japan-based SkyTaxi has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with Plana for 50 hybrid eVTOL CP-01 aircraft, currently under development. The two companies are also to collaborate on the development and operation of AAM aircraft. The first 10 aircraft will be delivered in 2030, followed by an additional 40 by 2040.
SkyTaxi (SoratobuTaxi Co) was formed last year by the Daiho Taxi Group, which has been operating taxi companies in the Osaka region for almost a century. SkyTaxi, a venture into the air taxi business, is currently training pilots, introducing new aircraft and conducting operational tests. It is preparing to launch air routes that will connect Osaka's city centres, including Umeda and Namba, world heritage and sightseeing destinations all over the Japan, as well as Kansai and Kobe airports. These routes are expected to be operational in time for the 2025 Osaka Expo. In the future, SkyTaxi plans to launch long distance eVTOL operations focused on tourism. It chose the CP-01 due to its significantly longer flight range.
Under the letter of intent and business agreement, Plana and SkyTaxi will collaborate on the development of AAM aircraft, operational concepts and interior design concepts that cater to the needs of air taxi operators, market analysis and demonstrations. They also plan to develop cross-border AAM air routes utilising the CP-01.
"This collaborative project between Plana and SkyTaxi will have a huge impact on the global AAM industry by players from Asia," says SkyTaxi CEO Takuto Hojo. "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."
"With the signing of this letter of intent and business cooperation we have opened up a huge potential market in Japan, and for the first time in the world we are looking at cross-border travel," adds Plana CEO Braden J Kim. "We will proceed with the development of the aircraft according to the roadmap we have designed and continue to develop more optimised utilisation models by understanding the specificities of each country's market."
