Japan is fast becoming a hub for eVTOL and air taxi technology. this morning Archer Aviation announced that it is the latest sustainable aviation developer to sign an agreement in the region and implement air taxiing, starting with Soracle Corporation’s purchase of up to 100 Midnight eVTOL aircraft.

As noted above, Japan, while slow to adopt fully electric vehicles, appears to be fully embracing the prospect of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi networks. As early as 2021, the Osaka Roundtable, a Japanese organization, announced a partnership with Germany’s Volocopter to develop strategies for the development and implementation of air taxi networks.

Other companies such as SkyDrive have partnered with Japanese OEMs like Suzuki to help build his eVTOL aircraft overseas and even the chainsaw government funding in their plans to continue the development of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).

Earlier this week, Joby Aviation completed its first eVTOL test flight demonstration in Japan with executives from Toyota, a major investor. Today California-based air taxi developer Archer Aviation announced it is joining its overseas competitors and already has its first customer lined up for a potentially large eVTOL order.

Archer forms a joint venture to establish air taxis in Japan

According to Archer Aviation, it has signed a joint venture with Soracle Corporation, which itself was formed this summer as a joint venture between Tokyo-based Sumitomo Corporation and Japan Airlines.

To kick things off, Soracle plans to launch AAM operations in Japan using Archer’s flagship eVTOL aircraft to offer electric air taxi flights to the public in cities where current ground vehicle transportation is limited by traffic or geographic barriers.

As part of the joint venture, Soracle has secured the right to order up to 100 Midnight aircraft, totaling approximately $500 million. The terms of this potential purchase include pre-delivery payments based on certain milestones before the eVTOLs are delivered. Soracle CEO Yukihiro Ota shared his thoughts following a signing ceremony held between both companies on September 26, 2024:

By operating eVTOL aircraft, Soracle aims to enrich lives and society by creating more accessible air transportation services in Japan. We will provide passengers with safe and reliable services, making the most of the knowledge gained at Japan Airlines and Sumitomo Corporation. Today’s announcement is a first step toward realizing the future we envision.

To support its Midnight eVTOL fleet from Archer, Soracle said it will develop a network of air taxi flight routes in attractive areas that residents, as well as domestic and international visitors, can use for faster travel in Japan . The company suggested that those route locations could include notable metropolitan areas such as Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hokkaido, Setouchi and Okinawa.

To begin commercializing AAM and air taxi services in Japan, Archer and Soracle shared joint plans to hold a public flight demonstration at the World Expo to gain public support, demonstrate the future of the technology, and accelerate stakeholder investment. The World Exhibition will takes place in Osaka, Kansai, Japan, from April to October 2024.

With today’s news, Archer adds Soracle and Japan to its list of customers and partners around the world. A line that already includes Southwest AirlinesUnited Airlines, KaKaoMobility in Koreaand United Arab Emirates.