Charlotte Bailey joined AIN’s editorial team in 2025 as a news reporter covering multiple topics including business aviation, new technology and the defense sector. She is also a frequent presenter in AIN’s video news reports. 
UK-based Charlotte has a strong interest in vintage military jets and in 2023 published a book about the de Havilland Vampire, as well as serving as a consultant on the topic for TV and movie projects. She is keen to expand her flying experience and enjoys hands-on assignments worldwide. In 2024, Charlotte was honored as Best New Journalist in the Aerospace Media Awards. Early in her career, Charlotte was involved in manufacturing customized hot air balloons.

News Reporter 

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.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

 SkyDrive Consortium Eyes Commercial eVTOL Air Services In Japan By 2028

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Japan’s first vertiport operators’ consortium predicts round 100 eVTOL aircraft could be operational from 2035, following initial commercial services in 2028. 

SkyDrive Consortium Eyes Commercial eVTOL Services By 2028

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