Japanese eVTOL manufacturer SkyDrive has entered a strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), signing a memorandum of understanding to integrate air taxi services into the Emirate’s future transportation network. The agreement, finalized during the DRIFTx 2025 event as part of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, marks a significant step in the city’s plan to become a global leader in commercial Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations.
The collaboration will focus on three core objectives: establishing a comprehensive regulatory and operational ecosystem for eVTOL flights, developing the necessary vertiport and charging infrastructure, and conducting detailed feasibility studies for the commercialization of SkyDrive’s SD-05 aircraft. This initiative is central to Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to create a smart, integrated transport system that incorporates cutting-edge autonomous and aerial mobility solutions, aiming to offer a faster, cleaner alternative for urban travel.
Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive, expressed honor in partnering with the ITC, citing Abu Dhabi’s proactive leadership in building the necessary framework for eVTOL commercialization. Dr. Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the ITC, emphasized that such agreements reflect the Emirate’s commitment to adopting future mobility technologies and building strategic international partnerships to accelerate this transition. The partnership positions Abu Dhabi as a potential first-mover in launching operational urban air mobility services, leveraging SkyDrive’s aircraft technology and the ITC’s integrated planning authority to transform the city’s transportation landscape.
