Rotorcraft
AeroGulf Plans to Buy Up to 20 SkyDrive eVTOL Aircraft
Dubai helicopter charter operator outlines provisional framework for eVTOL aircraft acquisition
View over Osaka harbour from an onboard camera of the SD-05 eVTOL
SkyDrive’s SD-05 aircraft made its first public demonstration flights at Osaka World Expo in April 2025.

AeroGulf Services signalled its intention to purchase up to 20 of SkyDrive SD-05 eVTOLs. The agreement announced by the Japanese manufacturer on January 14 with the Dubai-based operator calls for the first 10 deliveries to be made in 2028 with the remaining 10 units to follow in 2029.

The deal builds on a memorandum of understanding that AeroGulf signed in February 2025 that envisaged orders for up to 50 of the three-seat aircraft. The operator, which operates helicopters for services such as cargo, aerial filming and medical missions, plans to operate tourist flights to and from Dubai's Palm Jumeirah development.

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