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
• 2026-07-15 - Partnership - SkyDrive, 7A Drones and ITRI prepare Penghu eVTOL medical service - 7A Drones is responsible for feasibility studies, aircraft operation and maintenance, and discussions with medical and government institutions. Preparations include Magong–Hujing route details, candidate hospitals and vertiport sites, and control… - 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
• 2026-02-12 - Partnership - 7A Drones signs LOI for potential purchase of ten SKYDRIVE aircraft - The delivery schedule envisages one aircraft in 2028, four in 2029 and five on dates to be determined. The proposed route would link Magong City with Hujing Island, whose approximately 860 residents share one basic clinic. The LOI covers a pricing framework… - source: skydrive.co.jp
• 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
• 2025-05-08 - Partnership - 7A Drones and SkyDrive plan Penghu medical transport with ITRI - The initial route concept connects a Magong City hospital with Hujing Island, within a ten-kilometre service area. The parties targeted service from 2028 and planned work on regulation, medical coordination and vertiport infrastructure. The collaboration… - 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