Volocopter earns Series E investment, type certification application acceptance from Japan

Volocopter (Bruchsal, Germany) has announced that Sumitomo Corp. (Tokyo, Japan), a Fortune 500 company and said to be one of the largest trading companies in the world, invested in the company’s Series E funding round. Sumitomo will also become a key strategic partner for entry into service in the Japanese market starting in 2025. Additionally, the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) has accepted Volocopter’s application for concurrent type certification (TC) of the VoloCity aircraft to fly commercially in Japan. To celebrate these milestones, Volocopter will showcase a full-scale VoloCity static model for the first time at the Grand Front Osaka, a shopping mall, from March 8-12, 2023, to raise regional public awareness and acceptance of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Volocopter says it is currently pushing the envelope on flight testing and is on target to achieve certification for the VoloCity from the European Union Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) in 2024. As of now, the company is also pursuing concurrent validation with three non-European civil aviation authorities: JCAB in Japan, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the U.S. and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) in Singapore.

The company’s dedication to Japan dates back to 2018, when the country announced its commitment to bringing urban air mobility (UAM) to life. This includes a clear roadmap outlining the steps it needs to take to educate the public, introduce regulations and launch commercial services. As the frontrunner for a Japan-based UAM launch, Volocopter has the experience and expertise to work with local authorities to create a UAM ecosystem that establishes a safe and sustainable environment.

Sumitomo Corp.’s recent investment further strengthens Volocopter’s local ties from a business perspective, diversifying Volocopter’s global partnerships to establish a UAM ecosystem.

“Committing to fly and enter a market is no small feat, but for Volocopter and Japan, who are both pioneers in the UAM space, it just makes sense,” Christian Bauer, CCO of Volocopter, says. “Over the past few years, Volocopter has made significant progress toward becoming an integral part of the team that will bring UAM to life in Japan in 2025, thanks to partners like Sumitomo, EASA, and JCAB who share our vision.”

In addition to its Volocity model presentation in March, Volocopter has been hosting UAM knowledge sessions for elementary school children in selected Osaka city wards since 2022, as part of its obligation to the Prefectural Government grant. It will also will continue to involve the future generation of UAM passengers by offering VoloCity tours at the showcase event.