Vertical Aerospace and Marubeni Carry Japan eVTOL Plans Forward with Valo

Vertical Aerospace has taken another step towards commercial eVTOL operations in Japan, expanding its partnership with Marubeni Corporation to develop future electric air taxi routes and prepare for piloted demonstration flights in the Osaka Bay area beginning in 2026.

Announced at the 2026 Singapore Airshow, the update signals growing momentum behind Vertical’s Valo aircraft programme in Japan, combining early commercial commitments with steady regulatory progress.

“Japan combines strong regulatory leadership, advanced infrastructure and trusted industrial partners, making it one of the most promising markets globally for Advanced Air Mobility. Our partnership with Marubeni and engagement with JCAB demonstrate our careful, step-by-step approach to developing real-world Valo operations, grounded in safety, certification and public acceptance.” – Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace

“We are pleased to take this next step with Vertical Aerospace as we progress toward demonstration flying in Japan. By advancing route development in the Kansai region, we see significant opportunities to build the operating infrastructure and ecosystem required to accelerate AAM adoption.” – Toru Okazaki, Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Aerospace & Mobility Division, Marubeni Corporation

Kansai Region Targeted for Early Routes

Vertical and Marubeni are working on plans for a scalable Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) route network, with the Kansai region emerging as an initial focus. One corridor under evaluation could reduce journey times by up to 80% compared with ground transport, while operating with zero in-service emissions and significantly lower noise.

Use cases under development include:

• Tourism and major events, such as links from Osaka to destinations including Awaji Island and Shodoshima, as well as transport solutions for international exhibitions and large-scale events
• Airport and intermodal connections, providing rapid first and last-mile links between city centres and airports, including routes connecting Izumisano, Osaka and Kobe
• Essential services, including emergency medical and logistics operations across the Osaka–Hyogo area

Piloted demonstration flights in the Osaka Bay area are now being planned as a next step toward operational readiness.

Expo Momentum Carries Into Commercial Planning

The announcement follows exposure gained during the 2025 Osaka World Expo, which attracted more than 29 million visitors. Vertical showcased Valo through an immersive cabin experience, allowing attendees to explore simulated commercial routes across the Kansai region.

That public-facing engagement is now being followed by more concrete route planning and infrastructure discussions with local and national stakeholders.

Commercial and Regulatory Progress

Marubeni has reinforced its commitment to the programme by making a pre-delivery payment to secure early delivery slots for the first 25 aircraft from its conditional pre-order of 200 Valo eVTOLs.

Valo is Vertical’s certification aircraft, designed for ranges of up to 160 km and cruise speeds of 240 km/h, and engineered to meet airliner-level safety standards. Vertical is also developing a hybrid-electric variant aimed at extending range and operational flexibility.

On the regulatory side, the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) accepted Vertical into its type validation programme in 2023, providing a defined certification pathway. Vertical is targeting type certification with the UK Civil Aviation Authority in 2028, followed by JCAB validation for entry into service in Japan.

Alongside aircraft certification, Vertical and Marubeni are engaging with partners to develop the wider operating ecosystem, including infrastructure, maintenance and aftermarket support.

In August 2023, it was announced that the Osaka Prefectural, Osaka City, and Hyogo Prefectural authorities awarded Marubeni Corporation, Mizuho Bank, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co, and H.I.S. Co with a subsidy for their air taxi project. We can see some of the overlap between the locations just announced by Vertical Aerospace and Marubeni, compared with the ones listed in the 2023 feasibility study.

Marubeni

• Founded: 1858 (as a trading business); legally established as Marubeni in 1949
• Headquarters: Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
• CEO / President: Masayuki Omoto (current chief executive)
• Industry: Large Japanese general trading company (sōgō shōsha)
• Business Activities: Global import/export and domestic business covering:
  • Lifestyle & consumer products
  • Food & agriculture
  • Energy & metals
  • Chemicals
  • Power & infrastructure
  • Industrial machinery
  • Mobility
  • Finance
  • ICT
  • Resource development
  • Also investment and services worldwide
• Employees: ~50,000 (global group)

Japan Positions Itself as an Early AAM Market

With early commercial commitments, defined regional use cases and regulatory engagement already underway, Japan continues to position itself as a leading candidate for early eVTOL deployment. For Vertical, the partnership with Marubeni offers local market expertise and operational scale as the company moves from demonstration planning toward future commercial service.

eVTOL buzz recently attended the North American debut of Valo in Manhattan, New York City, on January 22nd and 23rd of this year, and made a video showcasing the beauty of the Valo’s exterior with a walk around (watch below):

• Headquartered in Bristol, England 🇬🇧
• NYSE: EVTL
• Established in 2016
• Founded by Stephen Fitzpatrick (Founder of Ovo Energy and former owner of F1 Manor Racing team)
• CEO: Stuart Simpson
• Chairman: Dómhnal Slattery
• Manufacturer of Valo all-electric eVTOL
• Plans for future hybrid-electric powered eVTOL capable of 1,000 mile range

The Valo’s interior is most exquisite with ample room for 4 people to be seated in a first-class arrangement or configured for 6 passengers to be seated comfortably. This flexibility is possible due to Valo’s spacious cabin size (watch below):

Valo

• 100 mile range
• 150 mph top speed
• Up to 6 passengers
• Airliner-level safety certification in 2028
  • Airliner-level safety standards (UK/EU 10-⁹; CAA/EASA, SC-VTOL Category Enhanced)
• Quiet performance (<50 dBA in cruise)
• Room for six cabin bags and six checked bags
• 550 kg / 1,200 lbs total payload

Luggage Capacity

Vertical’s Valo literally carries it forward, allowing you not to compromise on luggage capacity when traveling to different destinations.

While attending the North American debut of Valo, in Manhattan, New York City, eVTOL buzz made a video showing just how impressive the luggage capacity is on the Valo (watch below):

“Valo sets a new standard – bigger, safer and more capable than anything in the sector. It’s a breakthrough for aviation and a clear sign of the UK’s leadership in aerospace. Valo embodies the best of Vertical – precision engineering, passenger-first design and deep collaboration with global aerospace partners – creating an aircraft with the most compelling operator economics.” – Domhnal Slattery, Chair, Vertical Aerospace

“With the launch of Valo, Vertical moves from prototype developer to aerospace manufacturer. Valo is the aircraft that turns electric flight into a commercial reality – clean, quiet, fast and engineered for everyday service. It marks a new dawn in transport, one that will connect people in minutes, not hours.”– Stuart Simpson, CEO, Vertical Aerospace

Valo and the future of Advanced Air Moblity in Japan

In conclusion, the partnership between Marubeni and Vertical Aerospace represents a major step forward in shaping the future of advanced air mobility in Japan, anchored by the development and planned deployment of Valo, Vertical Aerospace’s next-generation electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This partnership underscores both companies’ commitment to sustainable, efficient transport. Through Marubeni’s commercial commitment to reserve early Valo delivery slots and their joint efforts to build operational routes and infrastructure, this collaboration reinforces Japan’s potential to lead in the commercialization of electric air taxi services, offering faster travel connections, contributing to decarbonization goals, and advancing a future where eVTOL aircraft like Valo become an integral part of everyday mobility.

Please stay tuned to eVTOL buzz ✈️ more in-depth coverage of Vertical Aerospace, Marubeni, and their progress in bringing Advanced Air Mobility to Japan!

More Info:

Vertical Aerospace (official website): click here

Official press release: click here

Business Feasibility Assessment for Operation of Flying Cars:
Moving Forward Together to Achieve a New Form of Aerial Mobility in the Kansai Region: click here