*The app is for illustrative purposes only.
JAL's "DX" has the potential to dramatically change air travel
Operating planes to transport passengers and baggage. Traditionally, airlines have based their business on this. However, with the development of technology, JAL's business is about to change dramatically. Drone logistics and air mobility services, also known as "flying cars," will finally become part of everyday life.
This case study is part of JAL's digital transformation initiative. DX is an abbreviation for "digital transformation," a keyword that refers to the digitalization of businesses and various services. Through digital transformation, JAL hopes to make air services easier and more accessible than ever before.
"JAL plans to launch a drone logistics business in 2023 and a flying car passenger service in 2025. We plan to roll out these services nationwide under the names "JAL DRONE" and "JAL AIRTAXI." We are currently in the process of flying drones to identify issues and accumulate know-how, and have already decided to conduct demonstration experiments in Amami from 2022 with an eye toward commercialization. We are currently conducting research and theoretical verification of flying cars."
These are the words of Hayato Kinoshita of the Air Mobility Creation Department, Digital Innovation Headquarters.
We are working with the government to establish a framework for drone logistics.
For example, in November 2020, a demonstration experiment was conducted in Kamigoto, Nagasaki Prefecture, in which fresh fish was airlifted by drone and connected to a JAL flight to Tokyo, where it was served to restaurants and other establishments in the city.
"We are currently exploring various business formats while looking for partners, such as transportation and communications companies. We are also considering whether to partner with other companies or provide transportation services on our own, and where and how we will expand after Amami, but we plan to provide the best service that only JAL can provide," said Kinoshita.
JAL officially provides drone-related services and runs a drone piloting training program called the "JAL Air Mobility Operation Academy (JAMOA)," applying the know-how it has accumulated over the years as an aviation company to a new field.
"The revised Aviation Act will come into effect next year, and drone-based services are expected to become more widespread. In the meantime, discussions are ongoing about what to do about licenses, aircraft registration systems, and flight management systems. JAL is also participating in these discussions, drawing on the know-how it has cultivated in the aviation industry for many years," Kinoshita said.
The commercial use of drones is being undertaken as a national initiative involving not only the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, which has been in charge of aviation business up until now, but also the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Flying cars, on the other hand, are also a major project backed by the government.
JAL AIRTAXI to debut at the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo
"The Osaka Kansai Expo will be held in Yumeshima, Osaka in 2025. Passenger transport using flying cars is also being considered as a proposal for a new transportation network. The specific program has not yet been decided, but it should clearly demonstrate a new vision for air travel by having customers actually board the car." (Kinoshita)
In February 2020, JAL, together with Sumitomo Corporation, partnered with Bell, a major US helicopter manufacturer, and in October of the same year also partnered with Volocopter, a German company. They are currently examining the aircraft of each company and selecting the aircraft most suitable for unveiling at the Expo.
©Volocopter
"Unlike airplanes, the flying car market is a mixed bag with many start-up companies entering the market. With development still ongoing, the selection of aircraft is difficult, but the aircraft we ultimately adopt will be certified by the government, and JAL will select an aircraft that can be flown safely. First of all, we think it is important to get people interested in air mobility." (Kinoshita)
Flying cars are often described as "the first new form of transportation in 100 years since airplanes were invented." By combining this with the concept of "MaaS," which allows easy access to vehicles using smartphones and other technology, JAL is painting a vision for air transportation that is completely different from the conventional one.
Using MaaS, it will become a casual form of transportation that is somewhere between a helicopter and a taxi
JAL Future World with New Flying Mobility
www.youtube.comWith just one smartphone, you can make travel arrangements and complete boarding procedures, and you can immediately begin flying. --We are preparing to realize the future depicted in this video, but in fact, the technology has already reached a level where transporting people in flying cars is possible.
"In addition to examining issues such as the use of heliports and altitude, we are also considering the shape, whether it will be a multicopter with multiple propellers or an airplane-style vertical take-off and landing aircraft, although both are electric. There are two models, a maneuverable multicopter type and a fixed-wing type with a long range, and we are considering which to use depending on the use case." (Kinoshita)
*The app is for illustrative purposes only.
A large proportion of passenger airline ticket fees is made up of maintenance costs for safety. Flying cars require fewer parts, so there is a high possibility that costs will be kept relatively low. We may see a future where air travel becomes more familiar and convenient.
"We are aiming for a service that can be used in everyday life without having to go to the airport. It will be more expensive than a taxi, but more affordable than a chartered helicopter. We are considering setting a price that will appeal to customers and increase social demand, with the aim of making the sky feel more familiar to people. We are already considering various ways to use the service, such as simulating actual transportation, sightseeing from the sky, and even use in medical care and disaster relief." (Kinoshita)
Introducing the cutting-edge JAL SMART AIRPORT and avatar robots
JAL is also conducting demonstration experiments in collaboration with Uber and JR East to provide smooth transportation before and after flights.
In addition, we are promoting the transformation of our airports into "JAL SMART AIRPORTs." In addition to providing a contactless, face-to-face boarding experience using smartphones, we are also operating a guide robot called "JET." This is one of our efforts to provide contactless service, operated by ground staff in remote locations such as their homes.
"JAL has been working on creating such an environment since before the COVID-19 pandemic, and has been working on creating systems that anticipate remote work. We have established operational rules in response to changes in the place of work."
Harumi Nakamura of the IT Planning Division explains: "The JAL Innovation Lab is playing a central role in testing these digital transformation initiatives and considering experience design."
As a historic airline, we will continue to advance innovation in the skies.
In a space that resembles a trade fair for the latest technology, with 5G antennas, AFID terminals, facial recognition test terminals, etc., members from both inside and outside JAL are engaged in lively discussions. Ayaka Oyama of the Innovation Promotion Department of the Digital Innovation Headquarters continues:
"The JAL Innovation Lab is a symbolic hub for innovation at JAL. We use it as a base to accelerate and promote innovation, bringing in prototype seats to test their usability and inviting customers to listen to us. In addition, from the approximately 36,000 JAL Group employees, employees who are selected by a show of hands become 'lab members' and use this space to work together to promote innovation. We place importance on three elements as an innovation platform: our lab, our internal human resources, and our external partners. We want people to feel free to use it and use it as a place to freely create ideas." (Oyama)
JAL is a historic airline that celebrated its 70th anniversary this year, and has bases that actively promote collaboration with venture companies and startups and function as an engine for promoting new services such as digital transformation.
In recognition of these efforts, JAL was selected as a "DX Stock 2021" sponsored by the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. This is a framework that recognizes listed companies that are using digital technology to achieve new growth and strengthen their competitiveness, and 28 companies were selected this year.
"JAL has a clear vision for digital transformation. If we trace digital transformation back to the early days of e-commerce, it began when people were able to make reservations online. In that sense, the foundations for digital transformation were laid decades ago, and each step was based on a long-term strategy. Airlines cannot survive unless they continue to create new value. Furthermore, all efforts must ultimately be reflected in customers and employees." (Oyama)
*Masks are removed only for photo shoots.
Both drones and air mobility are major changes that will greatly change society and the lives of our customers. As digital transformation advances, we may soon see a future where aircraft bearing the JAL logo fly freely in all directions when we look up at the sky.
Related Links
The Tokyo Stock Exchange's web media, "Tokyo Stock Exchange Management Department," also introduces JAL's initiatives.
JAL special site
JAL Air Mobility Drone and Flying Car Commercialization Project
This is JAL's JAL Next-Generation AIR MOBILITY page. As aviation professionals, we aim to create a rich and sustainable society through safe and secure comprehensive air mobility operations.
We'll take you behind the scenes of JAL's work, including inside stories on the introduction of the A350 and the development of in-flight meal menus.
*Some content was updated on November 8, 2021.
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
