eVTOL manufacturer Joby and Japanese airline ANA are collaborating to create passenger hop services from downtown locations to airports.
The pair say the service could reduce transfers from Osaka station to Kansai International Airport, for example, from one hour by car to 15 minutes over 31 miles.
U.S.-based Joby is currently developing an all-electric, five-seater aircraft with a range of 150 miles and maximum speed of 200 mph.
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ANA will work with the company to develop infrastructure, pilot training, operations, air traffic management and "public acceptance" of the service ahead of its launch.
Car manufacturer Toyota will also be involved to provide additional ground transportation services at the end of each route that the eVTOL network cannot reach.
Passengers will book the service via the Joby or Uber app.
JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO at Joby, says: "Japan offers us a spectacular opportunity to do just that with 92% of the population living in urban areas and Tokyo registering as one of the top 20 most congested cities in the world."
Koji Shibata, representative director and executive vice president at ANA HD, adds: "We’re proud to bring that operational experience to the table as part of this partnership and to be at the forefront of introducing this revolutionary form of transport to Japan.
Our customers value efficiency very highly, so being able to provide them with the option to travel rapidly - and sustainably - from an international airport to a downtown location is very appealing."