SkyDrive successfully accelerated its SKYDRIVE aircraft to a speed of 100km/h, a viable speed for the commercialization of short hop inter-urban air mobility. Through a series of high speed tests, SkyDrive has verified aircraft’s high-speed stability, controllability, and maneuverability, as well as the performance of the propulsion systems, flight control systems and on-board avio...
Etihad Airways celebrated the inaugural flight of its iconic Airbus A380 to Japan, which touched down at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport on 18 June. The arrival marks a landmark moment for the airline, with the renowned double-decker now operating daily between the two capitals. The aircraft brings expanded capacity on the route alongside an elevated premium offering. Featuring fou...
SkyDrive signed a Letter of Intent with Tohoku Air Service, a helicopter operator owned by Tohoku Electric Power Company, for the purchase of one SkyDrive eVTOL . Under this agreement, SkyDrive aims to deliver the aircraft in 2028. Tohoku Air Service hopes to leverage the numerous advantages offered by eVTOL aircraft including quiet operation, lower purchase and maintenance costs. eVTOL also...
SkyDrive Inc. announce the formation of Japan’ first consortium for the commercial operation and joint usage of an eVTOL vertiport. The new consortium, which brings together the Osaka prefectural government, Osaka municipal government, Osaka Metro Co., Ltd., Soracle and Marubeni Corporation will support the commercialization of Osakako Vertiport, a dedicated eVTOL takeoff and landing si...
SkyDrive signed new partnership agreement with West Nippon Expressway Company. Under the agreement, both parties will investigate the commercial feasibility of advanced air mobility eVTOL services based in expressway parking and service areas. SkyDrive successfully showcased demonstration flights of the SkyDrive SD-05 both at the Expo 2025 Osaka and at a second vertiport within...
SkyDrive has officially received Approved Design Organization (ADO) certification from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau, under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. SkyDrive is the first dedicated eVTOL developer in Japan to achieve this prestigious certification. The ADO status serves as official public proof that SkyDrive possesses rigorous quality control and safety m...
SkyDrive announced successful conclusion of a series of demo flights of its “SKYDRIVE”, conducted over the five days between February 24 (Tue) and February 28 (Sat), 2026. The flights, which were organized in collaboration with Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd., and Kanematsu Corporation and took place at Tokyo Big Sight, a major event venue on Tokyo Bay, represent the first-ever public flig...
Once serving only domestic routes, Kobe Airport is transforming into a vital regional hub that bridges Japan with key Asian destinations. Located just 20 minutes from central Kobe, it is recognized as one of Japan’s best-connected city airports. As passenger traffic continues to rise across the Kansai region, the airport’s new international terminal was designed to accommodate the surg...
AirMobility and Skyportz have signed a MoU to advance the introduction of Skyportz patented modular vertipad, the Aeroberm, into the Japanese market. As the commercial launch of eVTOL aircraft and large industrial drone approaches, the development of vertiport infrastructure is accelerating worldwide. Managing downwash generated during take-off and landing, reducing noise, and...
Bell Textron continues to expand its footprint in Asia Pacific with new orders for the Bell 429 from Japan and a recent delivery to Indonesia. Nakanihon Air Co., one of Japan's largest helicopter operators, has signed a purchase agreement for two additional Bell 429 aircraft to support helicopter emergency medical services. This follows NNK’s purchase of two Bell 429s in 2017.&...
Vertical Aerospace announces a major acceleration of its commercial roadmap in Japan, working in partnership with Marubeni Corporation. Together, the companies are advancing plans for a future Advanced Air Mobility route network across the country, marking a significant step toward the commercial deployment of electric air taxi services in Japan. Ahead of this, the companies are progressing p...
Wingcopter authorized partner in Japan, ITOCHU Corporation, has signed a MOU to collaborate on the practical use of Wingcopter’s long-range drones in aerial surveying together with PASCO Corporation and YellowScan Japan Co., Ltd. The companies initially plan to use the Wingcopter 198 in disaster management where drone-based surveying is playing an increasingly important role,...
