SkyDrive Inc. (SkyDrive), a leading eVTOL aircraft manufacturer based in Japan, has successfully conducted a demo flight of the SkyDrive SD-05 model.
The demo took place on April 9th as part of the Media Day event at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai (the Expo). The company have also released footage of recent test flights and development work conducted at the proprietary facility in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture.
Having been selected in February 2023 as one of the eVTOL operators taking part in the Smart Mobility EXPO, a part of the Future Society Showcase Project, SkyDrive identified the flights at the Expo as an important development milestone.
Ahead of the scheduled point-to-point and circular flights planned at the Expo for the summer of 2025, the SkyDrive SD-05 model took off for a demo flight above the EXPO Vertiport. The aircraft flew at an altitude of approximately 5 meters for a total flight time of approximately 4 minutes. To ensure safe flight operations, the aircraft, which incorporates automatic control systems, was piloted remotely without a pilot on board.
Watch the demo flight here
Speaking at the event, Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive Inc. commented, “Since our founding, we have embraced the vision of “Beyond Drive”, as we seek to lead the upcoming revolution in airborne mobility. In August 2020, we successfully conducted Japan’s first-ever public demonstration flight of an eVTOL, greatly increasing global awareness of our company and brand. Since then, thanks to the support of our shareholders, customers, and many others, we have been able to make steady progress. As a result, I am truly delighted to unveil our eVTOL aircraft SKYDRIVE here today at the EXPO Vertiport.
Once again, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all our partners and stakeholders who have been supporting and collaborating with us in various ways. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of the team at SkyDrive, who, while facing numerous challenges, continue to push our development forward every single day.
eVTOL is a form of clean mobility that will help reduce CO₂ emissions and support the evolution of a sustainable society. eVTOLs also achieve reduced noise levels, allowing them to seamlessly integrate into urban environments. At the Expo, which is about to begin, we hope attendees will discover how, in future, people will fly through the skies in eVTOLs as a regular part of city life.
SkyDrive’s story in Osaka will continue after the Expo. Last year, Osaka Metro Co., Ltd and SkyDrive announced plans for the “Osaka Diamond Routes”, proposed eVTOL routes connecting four key Osaka destinations: Shin-Osaka/Umeda, Morinomiya, Tennoji/Abeno, and the Osaka Bay Area. Similar initiatives for the post-Expo period are underway throughout Japan. Moving forward, we remain committed to the development of our aircraft and its associated business models as we work to revolutionize the future of urban air travel.”
