Wisk Aero Partners with Japan Airlines to Bring AAM to Japan

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

Advanced Air Mobility leader Wisk Aero is partnering with Japan Airlines (JAL) to bring Wisk’s self-flying, all-electric air taxi services to Japan. Wisk and JAL Engineering (JALEC) will also be collaborating on the development of plans for the maintenance and operation of Wisk’s autonomous air taxis.

“We are excited to be partnering with Japan Airlines, a highly-respected leader in aviation both in Japan and globally,” said Wisk CEO Brian Yutko. “Wisk and Japan Airlines share a commitment to safe, accessible transportation and to ensuring that our services provide long-term benefit to the communities that we serve. We look forward to working together to bring autonomous everyday flight to Japan and to further advancing Advanced Air Mobility in the broader APAC region.”

“We are very honored to partner with Wisk, a pioneer in autonomous eVTOL aircraft development,” said JALEC CEO Ryo Tamura. “In Japan, the introduction of autonomous air travel is developing and we strongly feel that this partnership with Wisk is the first step towards the development of the next generation of safe air mobility in Japan.”

The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) together, as well as with the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) and other Japanese Government agencies. The MOU outlines a framework for the collaboration, with consideration of regulatory requirements, safety measures, and ways in which Wisk’s aircraft can benefit the community.

The framework covers research towards launching fleet operations, discussion with Japanese Government agencies on establishing a Wisk operation under an Air Operators Certificate, the path towards a demonstration flight, and the introduction of autonomous aircraft into the Japanese national airspace system

“We are thrilled to be announcing this new partnership with Japan Airlines, a partner that so closely shares our values,” said Wisk’s APAC Regional Director Catherine MacGowan. “Japan represents a large, densely populated market where air taxi services can provide real, positive impact for local communities. We look forward to further pursuing the potential introduction of our self-flying, all-electric air taxis in Japan, and are encouraged by the growing interest within the broader APAC region for these types of services.”

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Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.