SkyDrive Timeline

Events

• 2026-08-18 - Partnership - SkyDrive signs Australian operator LOI for up to five SD-05 aircraft - The basic agreement sets pricing and a delivery schedule targeting two aircraft in 2028 and three in 2029, but remains a letter of intent rather than a firm aircraft order. The partners plan to launch sightseeing flights in 2028 from the existing Marina… - source: skydrive.co.jp
• 2026-07-22 - Partnership - Airtificial joins SD-05 supply chain with CFRP structures - The agreement covers structural components for the SD-05 programme. Airtificial contributes composite engineering and production capability. The announcement is a supply agreement rather than a new aircraft launch. - source: prtimes.jp
• 2026-07-22 - Partnership - ITO wins precision-machining role on SD-05 - The agreement supports the SD-05 production supply chain. ITO will contribute precision metal-machining capability. The announcement is a supplier selection rather than a new aircraft launch. - source: prtimes.jp
• 2026-07-22 - Partnership - Sanyoh to manufacture sheet-metal parts for SD-05 - The agreement adds a Japanese sheet-metal supplier to the SD-05 production network. Sanyoh will contribute component-production capability. The announcement is a supplier selection rather than a new aircraft launch. - source: prtimes.jp
• 2026-07-21 - Partnership - SkyDrive, 7A Drones and ITRI prepare Penghu eVTOL medical service - Work now covers candidate routes, participating hospitals, vertiports, aircraft-control systems and charging infrastructure. The framework builds on 7A Drones' earlier plan to acquire ten SkyDrive aircraft. The service timing remains 2028 or later and is… - source: timestech.in
• 2026-04-21 - Award - SkyDrive receives Japan ADO certification for planned 2028 eVTOL launch - has received Approved Design Organization (ADO) certification from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). The company is the first dedicated eVTOL developer in Japan to earn this designation. - source: dronelife.com
• 2025-07-04 - Funding - SkyDrive raises JPY8.3B Pre-Series D at JPY38.7B reported valuation - MUFG Bank led the ¥8.3 billion third-party allotment, with Suzuki, JR East, JR Kyushu and seven other companies investing. The matching Japan Investment Corporation deal record lists a ¥38.7 billion valuation without specifying a pre- or post-money basis.… - source: skydrive.co.jp
• 2024-06-17 - Regulatory - FAA accepts SkyDrive eVTOL certification application - SkyDrive submitted the application through Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau. The acceptance started SkyDrive’s certification path for the U.S. market. - source: skydrive.co.jp
• 2024-03-07 - Production Milestone - SkyDrive begins eVTOL production at Suzuki plant - SkyDrive began production of its SKYDRIVE aircraft at a Suzuki Motor Corporation plant in Iwata, Japan. The first riveting ceremony took place on March 6, 2024. The production start advanced SkyDrive’s path toward aircraft certification and delivery. - source: skydrive.co.jp
• 2023-06-20 - Partnership - SkyDrive reaches Suzuki production-facility agreement - SkyDrive reached a basic agreement with Suzuki to use a Suzuki Group plant for eVTOL production. The agreement followed the companies’ March 2022 collaboration. SkyDrive planned to build its SKYDRIVE eVTOL aircraft using Suzuki manufacturing know-how. - source: skydrive.co.jp
• 2022-09-26 - Funding - SkyDrive raises JPY9.6B Series C for eVTOL development - SkyDrive raised JPY9.6 billion in Series C financing to accelerate flying-car and cargo-drone development. The financing included third-party share allotment and bank loans from 13 companies including MUFG Bank. The round brought SkyDrive’s cumulative… - source: skydrive.co.jp
• 2022-05-17 - Regulatory - SkyDrive and MLIT agree on SD-05 certification basis - SkyDrive and Japan’s MLIT agreed on the certification basis for the SD-05 flying car. MLIT had accepted SkyDrive’s type-certification application in October 2021. The agreement advanced the Japanese certification path for SkyDrive’s two-seat aircraft. - source: skydrive.co.jp
• 2022-03-22 - Partnership - SkyDrive and Suzuki collaborate on eVTOL business and technology - SkyDrive and Suzuki agreed to collaborate on business and technology development for flying cars. The partnership explored eVTOL aircraft as a new mobility business for Suzuki. The collaboration later supported production work at a Suzuki-owned plant. - source: globalsuzuki.com