Skyports Infrastructure has signed a memorandum of understanding with Oita Prefectural Government in Japan to help develop advanced air mobility (AAM) services across the prefecture, with authorities targeting initial commercial operations from around 2028.

The agreement, formalised at Oita Prefectural Government’s head office on 2 September 2026, appoints Skyports as a consultant on the development and implementation of AAM in Oita. Under the agreement, Skyports will assess the potential societal and commercial benefits of AAM across the prefecture, identify and assess potential routes and vertiport locations with relevant local authorities, and advise eVTOL manufacturers preparing for future commercial services.

Oita’s mountainous terrain, extensive coastline and dispersed destinations currently make journeys between key locations lengthy by road and rail. A future AAM network could cut hour-long ground journeys to around 15 minute flights, connecting Oita Airport, Oita City, Beppu and Yufuin. The initial commercial service is expected to focus on sightseeing tours over Beppu Bay and a route between Beppu and Yufuin. A second phase would expand the service area to include Yufuin, Kuju, Kusu and Hita, along with routes between Oita City and Beppu/Yufuin, and between Oita Airport and Beppu/Oita City.

Addison Ferrell, director of infrastructure, Skyports Infrastructure, says: “Oita presents a particularly compelling opportunity to demonstrate the real-world value of advanced air mobility. The prefecture’s geography, tourism economy and dispersed destinations make faster, more direct connections a natural fit, and we will bring our vertiport development and network planning experience to help identify where AAM can deliver the greatest benefit.”

Skyports operates heliport and vertiport infrastructure in the UK and US, with further projects under development in the Middle East, Europe and Asia. The Oita agreement extends its presence in Japan, one of several markets it has identified for early AAM network planning.