UrbanV and JAC Partner to Build eVTOL Vertiports in Tokyo

Vertiport operator UrbanV and Japan Airport Consultants, Inc. (JAC) announced a strategic partnerships on June 12, 2026, to develop ground infrastructure for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations in Japan. The agreement positions the two companies as the technical leads for vertiport development within a broader Tokyo-focused consortium spearheaded by Japan Airlines (JL) and Archer Aviation.

In a press release issued by UrbanV, the companies detailed plans to align local Japanese AAM initiatives with global regulations standards established by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The initial focus will center on the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, laying the physical groundwork required for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to operate in dense urban environments.

Integrating with the Tokyo eVTOL program

The infrastructure agreement directly supports Japan’s ongoing push to commercialize passenger eVTOL flights. In November 2025, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government selected a consortium led by Japan Airlines for the first phase of its eVTOL Implementation Program. UrbanV and JAC will now serve as the strategic technical partners responsible for designing and integrating the vertiports required for this specific initiative.

Takeya Hirano, General Manager of the Planning and Development Department at JAC, highlighted the necessity of merging global insights with local expertise to navigate complex urban and aviation regulations.

“As Japan moves toward the social implementation of Advanced Air Mobility, it is essential to combine international experience with a deep understanding of Japan’s airport, aviation, regulatory and urban environments,” Hirano stated.

Hirano added that JAC will leverage its background in traditional aviation infrastructure to support the realization of a socially accepted AAM ecosystem in Japan.

Fleet scale and the Archer Midnight

The physical infrastructure developed by UrbanV and JAC will primarily support operations utilizing the Archer Midnight aircraft. In November 2024, Archer Aviation and Soracle Corporation, a joint venture between Japan Airlines and Sumitomo Corporation, announced a strategic alliance to launch air taxi operations across Japan.

According to previous consortium announcements, Soracle intends to purchase up to 100 Archer Midnight aircraft to service these routes. The intended orders carries an approximate value of $500 million, representing a significant capital commitment to the Japanese AAM market.

UrbanV Chairman Ivan Bassato noted the importance of the Japanese market for the company’s international expansion strategy, which will eventually explore opportunities beyond Japan.

“Japan is globally recognized for its leadership in technology and innovation. We are honored to enter this market through a solid and long-term partnership with Japan Airport Consultants, a trusted local leader,” Bassato said.

AirPro News analysis

We view the UrbanV and JAC partnership as a necessary maturation step for the Japanese AAM sector. While aircraft orders and consortium formations generate headlines, the physical and regulatory integration of vertiports remains the primary bottleneck for eVTOL commercialization globally. By explicitly targeting alignment with EASA, FAA, and ICAO standards, this partnership indicates that the Japan Airlines consortium intends to build an infrastructure network capable of supporting multiple certification aircraft types in the future, rather than a closed ecosystem limited to a single manufacturer. Securing a dedicated infrastructure partner moves the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s eVTOL program from the conceptual planning phase into concrete urban integration.

Sources: UrbanV