TOYOTA, Japan, Feb 6th, 2025 – SkyDrive Inc. (“SkyDrive”), a leading eVTOL (*1) aircraft manufacturer based in Japan, and Kyushu Railway Company (“JR Kyushu”) have signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with the government of Oita prefecture to explore how the future provision of eVTOL services can improve the prefecture’s transportation infrastructure, providing economic benefits and improved travel convenience to local communities and businesses.
Operational Vision
SkyDrive and JR Kyushu anticipate launching, from around the year 2028, scenic flights over Beppu Bay, air taxi operations within Beppu City, and air taxi services connecting the Beppu and Yufuin resorts. From 2030 onward, both companies also envision further expanding these services to include flights connecting Yufuin, Kokonoe, Kusu, and the Oku-Hita area, along with air taxi services from Oita City to the Beppu and Yufuin area, and from Oita Airport to both Beppu and Oita City.
While the precise nature of future ticket pricing will depend on flight frequency and passenger occupancy, JR Kyushu and SkyDrive intend to provide eVTOL air taxi services at prices low enough to compete with conventional road-based taxis.
Future Plans
Under their partnership agreement, SkyDrive and JR Kyushu intend to survey potential takeoff and landing sites, evaluate profitability, and establish a framework for future flight operations, laying the groundwork for the provision of commercially viable eVTOL services with a target service launch date sometime around 2028.
About SkyDrive Inc.
SkyDrive is an eVTOL company aiming “to take the lead in the once-in-a-century mobility revolution”. The company began testing eVTOL prototypes in 2014 prior to official incorporation in 2018. Under its future vision for urban transportation, flying in eVTOLs will become a regular part of city life. In 2019, SkyDrive became the first company to fly a crewed eVTOL in Japan. As of 2024, SkyDrive is working with civil aviation authorities in Japan and the US to acquire certification for “SKYDRIVE”, the company’s latest eVTOL product. SKYDRIVE will fly at Expo 2025 in Osaka, a major international event. SkyDrive began production of “SKYDRIVE” in March 2024 at a plant owned by Suzuki Motor Corporation, SkyDrive’s official production partner. SkyDrive is headquartered in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, and led by CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa, an engineer and entrepreneur.
For more information, please visit: https://en.skydrive2020.com/
About Kyushu Railway Company
“A corporate group that promotes the development of Kyushu, Japan and Asia based on safety and service”
Kyushu Railway Company was established as a corporate group with its core business of railways with a network throughout the Kyushu region. The Group has expanded its business domain by focusing on areas with high synergy with the railroad business, such as station buildings, hotels, condominiums, construction, distribution, and restaurant business. JR Kyushu will continue to contribute to the sustainable development of Kyushu by providing safe and secure mobility services as its core business, and through community development that takes advantage of the characteristics of the region.
For more information, please visit: https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/
Editor’s Note:
(*1) “eVTOL” is an abbreviation for electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing. As the name suggests, eVTOL aircraft can take off and land without a runway. eVTOLs are powered by electricity and incorporate advanced, automatic, flight control technology.
Contact:
Public Relations
SkyDrive Inc.
Email: info@skydrive.co.jp
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SkyDrive and JR Kyushu Enter into Partnership with Oita Prefectural Government_2025Feb6th