ANA not to offer air taxi service at 2025 World Expo in Osaka

ANA Holdings Inc. said Wednesday it will not offer a commercial flying taxi service at the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, viewed as one of the highlights of the event. Japan Airlines Co. is also reconsidering its plan to provide air taxis at the expo, sources familiar with the matter said, meaning all four flying car operators that had planned commercial services at the event are unlikely to offer them. ANA has found it difficult to obtain safety certification from authorities in time, it said. All four operators will still conduct demonstration flights, according to the companies. Air taxis were expected to provide access to the event's venue on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay. ANA has been working with Joby Aviation Inc. to operate electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft developed by the U.S. startup, while JAL is preparing to use vehicles developed by Volocopter GmbH from Germany.<br/>