Japan's Oita Prefecture Signs Partnership with UK's Skyports to Develop Flying Car Operations by 2028
Why It MattersThe agreement extends Skyports' vertiport expertise into a new Japanese region, adding to its Kanematsu alliance as advanced air mobility infrastructure spreads across the country.
Oita Prefecture and UK-based urban air mobility infrastructure company Skyports signed a partnership agreement on July 2 at the prefectural government office, aiming to advance flying car operations in the prefecture by 2028. Under the agreement, Skyports will provide advisory services, facilitate information exchange, and conduct surveys assessing infrastructure requirements such as takeoff and landing facilities, while helping foster cooperation with aircraft manufacturers and related businesses.
At the signing ceremony, Skyports' director and head of infrastructure Addison Ferrell and Oita Governor Kiichiro Sato both highlighted the prefecture's potential to become a leader in advanced air mobility. Ferrell committed to maximizing benefits for local residents, while Governor Sato expressed cautious optimism, acknowledging that flying car technology remains under development and is not yet ready for widespread adoption.
Skyports built what it describes as the world's first commercial vertiport for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft in Dubai in April 2026, with commercial operations scheduled to begin in 2027. In Japan, the company holds a capital and business alliance with Kanematsu and is conducting demonstration tests for vertiport operations and boarding procedures. Challenges ahead include regulatory hurdles, technological maturity, public acceptance, and navigation of Japan's evolving regulatory framework for advanced air mobility.
