Photo/Illutration A flying vehicle under development by Joby Aviation (Provided by Joby Aviation)

ANA Holdings Inc. on Feb. 15 said it has reached an agreement with Joby Aviation, a U.S. venture, to build electric flying transport vehicles for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

Toyota Motor Corp. has also joined the tie-up and is expected to provide ground transportation services from planned landing pads during the event.

Joby Aviation is currently developing a small electric aircraft called eVTOL, a five-seater that has a vertical takeoff and floats upward. It can travel up to 240 kilometers and reach a maximum speed of about 320 kph, company officials said.

Joby Aviation plans to put eVTOL into practical use in 2024 in the United States.

ANA wants to use the aircraft for regular transportation services connecting airports and other facilities with expo venues.

The airline company said it will consider expanding such services mainly in urban areas after the expo ends.

Under the business alliance, ANA will train pilots, provide knowledge on air traffic control and facilitate landing pads, such as rooftop ones.

Toyota in 2020 invested $394 million (45 billion yen) in Joby Aviation.

In 2018, a public-private council was established in Japan with the goal of putting flying vehicles into practical use under full-blown business operations in 2025.

But there are a number of challenges, including adjusting air traffic control operations that are currently designed mainly for large-sized aircraft.

In addition, local residents may raise safety and noise concerns about the flying vehicles.

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