Writer

Charlotte Bailey

SkyDrive has announced the launch of Japan’s first vertiport operators’ consortium, formed to promote the establishment of commercial eVTOL services across the Kansai area. Partners in the region include the Osaka prefectural and municipal governments, the Osaka Metro Company, Soracle and Marubeni Corporation. 
At a meeting on May 8, partners discussed what SkyDrive termed “a roadmap for public-private cooperation over the commercialization of eVTOL services based at the Osakako vertiport.” This plan builds on the Kansai Economic Federation’s March 2026 commitment to deploy around 100 eVTOL aircraft by 2035. 
Alongside the dedicated eVTOL facility, 146 existing emergency helicopter landing pads are also being considered. Initial conversations between the Japanese city of Osaka and SkyDrive date back to 2021. 
Osaka Metro, the city’s subway train and tram provider, <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-08-29/skydrive-attracts-55-million-new-funding-evtol-aircraft">also participated</a> in SkyDrive’s $55 million Series C funding round held in August 2024. This preceded a collaboration in the lead-up to the city’s six-month Osaka-Kansai World Expo 2025, during which SkyDrive’s full-scale SD-05 prototype made its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/video/osaka-world-expo-opens-skydrive-evtols-debut-flight">first public flight</a> demonstration.
In January 2024, Osaka Metro won a contract to design and develop a vertiport to serve the event. Located at Osaka Port’s Chuo pier, this 12,000 square meter (129,100 square feet) facility includes a hangar, a passenger area, and a takeoff and landing area. In April of that year, SkyDrive and Osaka Metro also signed an agreement to collaborate on the ongoing use of the SD-05 after the event’s conclusion, with SkyDrive proposing four initial routes to connect Osaka destinations from 2028. 
Under a separate agreement, signed on May 12, Tohoku Air Service announced its intention to purchase one SkyDrive SD-05. The helicopter operator stated it intends to develop a multi-use operating model to serve the Tohoku island region and Niigata prefecture, with missions including tourism, regional transport, medical services and disaster relief.

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