Airbus, Hiratagakuen partner to develop eVTOL tech in Kansai region

Under the agreement, the partners will organize a simulation of ideal routes, concepts of operations and necessary equipment needed to operate regular eVTOL flights in the region using Airbus’s CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL aircraft, with the aim of conducting a demonstration flight later this year.

A H135 helicopter will be used to test advanced navigation and communication technologies designed for the safe use of eVTOLs in urban environments, while simulating the CityAirbus NextGen’s flight configuration.

Airbus says that the partnership will ‘support the development of advanced air mobility solutions … for use cases ranging from air medical services to commercial air transport and ecotourism in a variety of operational contexts’. Its partner Hiratagakuen typically specializes in providing HEMS, personnel transport, flight training and helicopter maintenance services.

‘A revolution in air transportation is now approaching’

Mitsuhiro Hirata, Vice President, Aviation Operation Division of Hiratagakuen, said: “We are very pleased to conduct a demonstration flight in the Osaka-Kansai region with Airbus for the future of mobility, using the latest H135 helicopter. We have been operating Airbus helicopters for many years and highly appreciate their high safety, performance, operational reliability and proven after-sales support. We are aware that a revolution in air transportation is now approaching in the Osaka area, and we expect CityAirbus NextGen to play a central role in this revolution.”

In Germany, Airbus partnered with a range of companies, universities, municipalities and research institutes to support the development of advanced air mobility technology earlier this year.