SkyDrive, Osaka Metro and others jointly began a survey in October 2026 into using emergency landing sites on Osaka City rooftops as takeoff and landing sites for flying cars. The project aims for practical deployment around 2028.
A project to determine whether emergency landing sites on Osaka City rooftops can be used as takeoff and landing sites formally began on 1 October 2026. Participants include SkyDrive, Osaka Metro, Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City and others. The project was submitted and selected as part of the Cabinet Office’s Super City-related initiative.
The purpose of the survey is to verify the feasibility of repurposing the sites for commercial flying-car operations. The study will cover, including through on-site surveys, compliance of the surrounding airspace with the Civil Aeronautics Act, building-wind and noise simulations, floor load capacity and the feasibility of installing charging equipment, and operating rules that balance disaster response with routine operations.
Osaka City has 146 emergency landing sites installed on high-rise buildings over 100 meters tall, as required. The project is examining the possibility of securing new takeoff and landing space by using these existing rooftop heliports. It aims for practical deployment around 2028.
Going forward, the project plans to reflect the findings in development standards for takeoff and landing sites, or vertiports, while also considering expansion to other regions.