Press Release
JALEC, Wisk, and Kaga City Sign a Memorandum of Understanding
～Accelerating the Introduction of Autonomous Air Mobility Technologies in Japan～
Paris, FRANCE - JAL Engineering Co., Ltd. (JALEC), Wisk Aero (Wisk) and Kaga City signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the development and adoption of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), particularly focusing on autonomous operation in Japan. This MoU is aimed at promoting operational ecosystem development and rulemaking relating to autonomous aircraft for social implementation in Japan.
This collaboration combines JALEC’s extensive expertise and experience as a global aircraft operator and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider with Wisk’s leadership in the AAM sector and its role as the developer of the first autonomous aircraft. Additionally, it leverages Kaga City’s experience in promoting advanced initiatives as a National Strategic Special Zone.
This unprecedented collaboration will establish opportunities for introducing autonomous air travel in Japan.
Autonomous aircraft are expected to address challenges caused by a shortage of pilots, improve economic efficiency, and significantly expand the flexibility of air transportation. On the other hand, this new form of operation differs significantly from conventional aircraft, making it essential to establish relevant legal frameworks and further advance the development of the operational ecosystem for its social implementation.
This initiative will provide critical evidence to build nationwide trust in the safety of autonomous operations through demonstration and validation processes. JALEC and Wisk aim to further accelerate rulemaking and the integration of autonomous flights into society through demonstration flights in Kaga City, a designated National Strategic Special Zone.
“This three-way partnership will play a central role in realizing autonomous AAM in the Japanese society,” said Hiroki Haraikawa, Vice President of Marketing & Sales, JALEC. “JALEC, together with Wisk and Kaga City, leverages this opportunity to demonstrate the emerging technology and build the nationwide trustworthiness about safety of the autonomous operations.”
“We are excited to deepen our commitment to Japan and further our partnership with JAL through this new collaboration with The City of Kaga,” said Sebastien Vigneron, CEO of Wisk. “Japan is a key market for the introduction of AAM, and Kaga City’s forward-thinking approach to future mobility, coupled with its special zone designation, provides an ideal environment for us to explore and demonstrate the benefits of our Gen 6 aircraft. This partnership is a significant step towards building the necessary ecosystem for autonomous flight in Japan.”
Riku Miyamoto, Mayor of Kaga City, said, “As the first step in Wisk's business expansion into Japan, Kaga City will strongly support the establishment of an operations base and support the construction of an AAM operation model in collaboration with JALEC. Kaga City is a local government with a population of approximately 62,000 people, but because the city has been selected as a national strategic special zone, we are able to carry out bold regulatory development in Japan. The advantage of not being a big city like Tokyo or Osaka is that there is a high degree of freedom as a research and development field, and one-stop arrangements are possible.”
This partnership marks a significant step forward in realizing a safe and flexible new era of air transportation in the future.
About Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines (JAL), Japan’s first private aviation company, was established in 1951 and is a member of the oneworld® Alliance. The airline operates a fleet of 232 aircraft (as of March 2025) and began renewing its international long-haul aircraft with the Airbus A350-1000 starting 2023 Winter Schedule. Together with other JAL Group and partner airlines, JAL offers an extensive domestic and international network that serves 395 airports across 68 countries/regions. The airline has received numerous accolades for its exceptional service, including being recognized as a certified 5-Star Airline by Skytrax and being awarded the prestigious "World Class" Airline title by APEX, the Airline Passenger Experience Association. The airline is dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of flight safety and overall service quality, striving to be the most preferred airline by customers worldwide.
For details and to learn more, visit JAL's official website at https://www.jal.com/en/
About JALEC
Headquartered at Tokyo International Airport (Haneda), JAL Engineering Co., Ltd. (JALEC) is a subsidiary of Japan Airlines and a leading company shaping the future of aviation. Leveraging over 70 years of JAL Group's expertise in aircraft operations, as well as the maintenance, planning, and management of aircraft, engines, and components, the company continues to drive innovation in the aviation industry.
About Wisk
Wisk is an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company dedicated to creating a future for air travel that elevates people, communities, and aviation. Wisk is developing the first autonomous, passenger-carrying electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi in the U.S. Wisk is a wholly-owned Boeing subsidiary and is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, with locations around the world. With over a decade of experience and over 1750+ test flights, Wisk is shaping the future of daily commutes and urban travel, safely and sustainably. Learn more about Wisk here.
About Kaga City
Located in southwestern Ishikawa Prefecture in the Hokuriku region of Japan, Kaga City is known for its stunning natural beauty, rich history as part of the Kaga domain, and traditional crafts such as Kutani ware and Yamanaka lacquerware. The city also boasts three hot spring resorts, each with over 1,300 years of history. Designated a National Strategic Special Zone in April 2022, Kaga City is committed to becoming "the most business-friendly environment in the world" by promoting the implementation of advanced technologies and social services. Further demonstrating its forward-thinking approach, Kaga City is spearheading initiatives in the field of air mobility, including the launch of the Next Generation Air Mobility Consortium in 2024.
For details, click here.
