Vertical Aerospace, a British eVTOL manufacturer that is pushing the transition to carbon free aviation, today announced that Vertical and Marubeni Corporation, a Japanese integrated trading and investment business conglomerate, have reached an agreement to explore sustainable, emissions free advanced aerial mobility (AAM) travel solutions, focused on the application of Vertical's flagship electric aircraft, the VA-X4, in the Japanese market. Marubeni has also agreed a conditional pre-order option of up to 200 of Vertical's aircraft.

This partnership builds on existing commercial partnerships between Vertical and American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Avolon, Iberojet and Bristow who with Marubeni have already collectively agreed conditional pre-orders for 1,350 aircraft in total with a value of approximately $5.4 billion.

Vertical and Marubeni will now begin jointly evaluating the requirements for eVTOL aircraft operations in Japan as well as other commercial considerations such as route and network planning, infrastructure requirements and capacity, as well as engaging other interested parties who can play a role in launching AAM in Japan.

By working with such an established and respected Japanese organisation, Vertical expects to accelerate its ability to enter the Japanese market and offer Japanese consumers a safer, faster, cheaper and greener alternative to current short haul options in the country.

With its technological and regulatory advantages, such as its capacity to operate high frequency eVTOL traffic in a safe environment, Japan has great potential when it comes to the commercialisation of the AAM market. Marubeni believes that eVTOLs have a number of use cases in Japan, such as inter-city, intra-city, airport shuttle and life support operations, that will benefit both customers and communities. Marubeni is expecting eVTOL operations to commence in 2025 and will utilise its existing aviation capabilities to maximise the quality of personal transportation.

Vertical is now working with partners in key locations around the world to establish AAM operations in markets where there is expected high demand for eVTOL operations. In the USA, American Airlines plans to work with Vertical on passenger operations and infrastructure development. In the United Kingdom, Virgin Atlantic and Vertical plan to work together to explore the joint venture launch of a Virgin Atlantic branded short haul eVTOL network, including operations and infrastructure development.

The VA-X4, Vertical's flagship aircraft, is expected to be certified to the same standards as commercial airliners and is expected to be significantly safer and quieter than a helicopter. By combining its world-class team with a deliberately built ecosystem of top-tier partners, such as Microsoft, American Airlines, Avolon, Honeywell, Rolls-Royce and more, Vertical has assembled a broad mix of people and world class organisations with both commercial track records as well as experience testing, building and certifying some of the world's most advanced aircraft.

Vertical founder and CEO Stephen Fitzpatrick says: “Marubeni is one of the most respected companies in Japan, and we are proud to be partnering with it as we look at ways to bring our VA-X4 to the Japanese market. Marubeni's pre-order option for up to 200 aircraft provides us with a potential direct route to market and builds on our purchase agreements with American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Avolon, Iberojet and Bristow. This is the most exciting time in aviation for almost a century; electrification will transform flying in the 21st century in the same way the jet engine did 70 years ago, and with Marubeni we are confident we have a great partner that can be a part of this transformation.”

Marubeni senior operating officer Toru Okazaki adds: “We're so excited to announce this great partnership with Vertical Aerospace, who is now leading the advanced aerial mobility market. Through this strong partnership with Vertical, we are confident that we will successfully develop the AAM market in Japan. By seeking to popularise eVTOL technology, we will not only be enriching people's lives but making meaningful inroads into the reduction of greenhouse gases and our path to net-zero.”