Press Releases
Soracle Succeeds to the “Flying Car” Operation Project for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai from JAL. — Archer Aviation’s eVTOL, “Midnight,” to Conduct Demonstration Flights at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai —
With the aim of launching the “Flying Car” (hereinafter “eVTOL” (*1)) Operation Project, Soracle Corporation (hereinafter “Soracle (*2)) was jointly established by Sumitomo Corporation (hereinafter “Sumitomo Corporation”) and Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “JAL”). Soracle succeeded to the operation project from JAL (*3), upon signing an agreement to cooperate in the Future Society Showcase Project Exhibition, Smart Mobility Expo – Flying Cars, at World Expo 2025 in Japan (hereinafter “Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai”).
This led to Soracle reaching an agreement with Archer Aviation Inc. of the U.S. (hereinafter “Archer Aviation”) to take part in a demonstration operation program using their “flying car” at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
[Overview of the (Planned) “Flying Car” Operation Project for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai]
- ●Flights: Manned flights between two points, and on circular demonstration routes
- ●Locations: Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai venue and Osaka Heliport
- ●Aircraft: eVTOL, “Midnight,” designed and developed by Archer Aviation
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai venue
Provided by the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
Concluding the agreement with Archer Aviation
Prompted by “Flying Car” Operation Project for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Soracle will aim to accelerate the social implementation of eVTOL to foster a new, environmentally friendly, and more accessible air travel solution.
■Soracle Overview
- Company name
- Soracle Corporation
- Line of business
- Air transportation services based on eVTOLs
(planned obtaining of permit) - Established
- June 2024
- Representatives
- Yukihiro Ota and Toshihiro Sasaki
- Adress
- Chuo City, Tokyo
- Website
- TOP | Soracle
■Archer Aviation Overview
- Company name
- Archer Aviation, Inc.
- Line of business
- Designing, developing, and operating eVTOLs
- Established
- 2018
- Representative
- Founder & CEO Adam Goldstein
- Adress
- California, U.S.A
- Website
- https://archer.com/
■Overview of Archer Aviation’s eVTOL, “Midnight”
It is a vectored thrust eVTOL capable of carrying four passengers, designed and developed by
Archer Aviation. The aircraft has built up a track record of test flights in the U.S., and aims to
obtain type certification from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) by the end of 2025, with the start of commercial operations targeted for 2026.
[Operating Performance] Maximum speed: 240 km/h. Range: 160 km. Maximum load: 454 k
- Stands for “electric vertical take-off and landing.”
Compared to conventional aircraft, eVTOLs are next-generation aircraft that produce significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions during operation due to their electric propulsion systems. They
also do not require runways, generate less noise during takeoff and landing, and have fewer
components. Development is underway to realize autonomous flight (ways to fly automatically
following a pre-set flight path), and the social implementation of eVTOLs is expected to contribute to the creation of new value in air travel. - Japan Airlines and Sumitomo Corporation Jointly Establish eVTOL Operating Company
– Targeting the Creation of New Air Mobility Value with Flying Cars –
Japan Airlines and Sumitomo Corporation Jointly Establish eVTOL Operating Company｜JAL Group – Press Release
Sumitomo Corporation and Japan Airlines Jointly Establish eVTOL Operating Company
– Targeting the Creation of New Air Mobility Value with Flying Cars –
Sumitomo Corporation and Japan Airlines Jointly Establish eVTOL Operating Company | Sumitomo Corporation - JAL selected as the eVTOL Operator of “Future Society Showcase Project Exhibition”
“Advanced Air Mobility” at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan
JAL selected as the eVTOL Operator of “Future Society Showcase Project Exhibition” “Advanced Air Mobility” at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan｜JAL Group – Press Release