Japan Airlines intends to lease or purchase up to 50 of Vertical Aerospace’s in-development VA-X4 air taxis from aircraft lessor Avolon.
The order, which sees JAL hold options to lease or purchase another 50 units, comes as it enters into a strategic partnership with Avolon, with the goal of introducing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) ride-sharing services in Japan.
Avolon in June announced an order for 500 aircraft, which are currently developed by UK company Vertical Aerospace. Vertical is aiming for its design to receive type certification from UK and EU regulations in 2024.
Dómhnal Slattery, Avolon CEO, commented:
“We continue to identify partners who share the same vision to revolutionise air travel through zero-emissions eVTOL aircraft and shape the future of travel. This latest long-term partnership with JAL aligns us with one of Japan’s leading airlines on their journey to sustainability and to decarbonizing air transport. The VA-X4 will be certified to CAA and EASA’s stringent safety regulations. We believe JAL’s multi-decade experience will prove invaluable as Vertical seeks type certificate validation with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau, demonstrating that the VA-X4 will be a global eVTOL, unconstrained by borders.”
JAL, Vertical, as well as Avolon will work with Japanese civil aviation authorities to get the eVTOL aircraft certificated, to allow for service entry by 2025, in time for the Osaka Kansai Expo 2025.
Tomohiro Nishihata, Managing Executive Officer of Japan Airlines, commented:
“Today’s announcement represents an important step towards the social implementation of Air Taxi at Osaka Kansai EXPO in 2025. Our partnership with Avolon, lays out the pathway towards achieving Air Mobility revolution in Japan. The introduction of VA-X4 will also contribute to reduce our environmental impact and we fundamentally believe that sustainability will be the engine for future growth across our business and region. We look forward to collaborating closely with Avolon and Vertical on the roadmap to certification for the VA-X4 with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau.”
The VA-X4 will carry five people (including one pilot), fly at speeds exceeding 174kt (322km/h) and have range exceeding 87nm (161km).
Since Avolon’s order in June, a number of carriers have indicated their intentions to purchase or lease the eVTOLs, including Brazilian carrier GOL, Virgin Atlantic, as well as American Airlines, which with Avolon announced intentions to become Vertical equity investors.
Stephen Fitzpatrick, Vertical CEO commented:
“The VA-X4 will transform how we travel. We are delighted to be working with Avolon and our newest partner Japan Airlines as we bring zero-emissions aircraft to the Japanese market. JAL’s experience will strengthen the certification roadmap in Japan demonstrating our global view as we make eVTOLs a reality.”
JAL is Vertical’s second Japanese customer for the VA-X4 eVTOL, after Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corporation announced a pre-order option for up to 200 aircraft in September.
Sources: Press Release, FlightGlobal