Promoting collaboration between Expressway and air mobility
We have invested in the startup company AirX Inc.
Second investment following BONX Inc. Aiming to contribute to regional revitalization and transform the mobility environment
- Corporate Top
- Press Room
- Press Release Headquarters
- We have invested in the startup company AirX Inc.
![DraPla Innovation Lab logo image image 1](/pressroom/cms_assets/pressroom/2025/01/29c/01.jpg)
January 29, 2025
East Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd.
NEXCO EAST (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) invested in AirX Inc. on January 28th as part of an initiative for co-creation with startup companies through the "DraPla Innovation Lab." This is the second investment the company has made following BONX Inc. Through this investment, the company aims to create new tourist attractions based on SA/PA (service areas and parking areas) and to "connect regions, connect with regions, and connect to the future," thereby contributing to regional revitalization and transforming the transportation environment.
The future envisioned through co-creation between NEXCO EAST and AirX
Using Expressway service areas and parking areas as bases, we aim to contribute to the creation of sustainable communities by creating new attractions for the region through the sale of new sightseeing plans and other travel products that take advantage of the unique characteristics of each region, in cooperation with air mobility such as helicopters. We will make maximum use of our company's assets, such as creating products that allow you to "experience the local environment, history, and culture from the sky."
Furthermore, by using SAs, PAs, and ICs as transportation hubs between land and air, we are also considering AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) such as flying cars, and aim to transform the movement of people and goods into seamless transportation, including by air, for disaster and reconstruction support, and to ensure transportation to areas with poor transportation access.
AirX Inc.
AirX Inc.'s mission is "AirX liberates human potential," and the company aims to create a society in which everyone involved can maximize their life possibilities by creating free mobility experiences and new ways to spend time.
By introducing the new option of "air" into everyday transportation, we hope to shorten travel times from one hour to just ten minutes, and to make air travel cheaper than taxis and at the same price as trains and buses. We are developing a service platform that covers everything from upstream to downstream air mobility services.
Through this round of funding, AirX will further strengthen its proprietary air mobility booking platform ahead of the launch of flying cars in 2027.
NEXCO EAST and AirX's past efforts
AirX, Inc. was selected by MTI in the first phase of the "DraPla Innovation Lab". In October 2023, AirX conducted a sightseeing flight using Tohoku Expressway Chojabaru SA (In-bound line) as a takeoff/landing point, the first such flight in Japan (according to our own research) using the Expressway SA/PA as a takeoff/landing point. This initiative was so well received by passengers on anniversaries and for sightseeing that the course was expanded and a scenic flight was conducted again in September of the following year. 2024
Through this initiative, we were able to create a new tourism resource that started from SA/PAs, allowing passengers to "feel" the rich nature, history, and culture of Miyagi Prefecture from the sky.
![長者原SA 遊覧フライトの様子のイメージ画像](/pressroom/cms_assets/pressroom/2025/01/29c/02.jpg)
Company Profile
会社名:株式会社AirX
本社所在地:東京都千代田区麹町6-6-2 番町麹町ビルディング5F
代表者の役職・氏名:代表取締役 手塚 究
設立:2015年2月
事業内容:旅行業、航空運送代理事業
ホームページ
エアモビリティ予約プラットフォームAIROS Skyview
Background of this initiative
At the "DraPla Innovation Lab," we aim to create businesses that will realize next-generation Expressway services, revitalize local areas, and solve social issues by verifying technologies and business models with companies that have new technologies and service ideas, including startups. If the results of technological verification with startups show that the technologies are beneficial and that there is expected to be an affinity and synergy effect with our business, we will deepen business collaboration through investment.
What is DraPla Innovation Lab?
![DraPla Innovation Lab logo image image 2](/pressroom/cms_assets/pressroom/2025/01/29c/03.jpg)
We will further promote our open innovation and work with companies that have new technologies and service ideas to verify technology and business models through our lab, while working to realize next-generation Expressway services, revitalize local communities, and address social issues. The aim is to create a business that solves the following.
We have been connecting regions and supporting our customers' "safety, security, comfort, and convenience." In addition to this, we aim to provide "new value" in the transportation of people, goods, and events, and to operate in a sustainable manner.
We will continue to strengthen our efforts to create new value.
![Image link (external link) to download page of Adobe Acrobat Reader](/assets/img/common/bnr_adobereader.png)
To view the PDF file, you need the Adobe Systems plug-in software "Acrobat Reader (Japanese version)". If you do not have Download from here (free)Please use it.