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Airbus Partners with Japanese Helicopter Operator to Promote Advanced Air Mobility

by Emily Gu
Airbus Partners with Japanese Helicopter Operator to Promote Advanced Air Mobility

Airbus is working with Japanese helicopter operator Hirata Gakuen to develop advanced air mobility (AAM) across Japan.

The partnership, which is supported by Osaka Prefecture, will see the companies develop and test a series of different routes, with the companies planning to perform a series of demonstration flights before the end of 2022.

“Hirata Gakuen’s expertise in commercial air transport and air medical services operations makes it an ideal partner with CityAirbus NextGen to define an AAM operations framework in Japan,” said Balkiz Sarihan, Head of Strategic Execution and Partnerships, Airbus UAM.

The CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL, which was unveiled in September 2021, has a composite wing with four seats. Airbus is targeting a cruise speed of 120km/h and a range of 80km.

Hirata Gakuen is a Kansai-based operator that has a current fleet of 14 Airbus H135 and two Airbus H145 helicopters. The company will use one of its H135 helicopters to test advanced navigation and communication technologies, to better operate eVTOLs in an urban environment, and simulate the flight configuration of CityAirbus NextGen.

Airbus is hoping to begin test flying its CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL in 2023.

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