In February 2026, SkyDrive completed a series of demonstration flights of its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Model SD-05, at Tokyo Big Sight. Conducted in collaboration with Mitsubishi Estate and Kanematsu Corporation, these flights marked Tokyo's first public eVTOL operations. The tests were part of a broader initiative by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to evaluate the feasibility of urban eVTOL services, which aims to reduce traffic congestion and enhance city mobility.
The project involved assessing the entire operational process, from pre-flight preparations to aircraft recovery, emphasizing the integration of terminal infrastructure designed to facilitate passenger feedback. Public participation was integral, with facilities enabling facial recognition check-in and security screening. The authorities aim to develop a comprehensive roadmap for eVTOL infrastructure, promoting technological innovation in urban transport systems.
Operational and Route Assessment
Since 2022, industry partners have been testing potential routes connecting key urban sites, including central Tokyo locations and Tokyo Bay, with estimated travel time reductions to less than one-third of traditional road journeys. These preliminary studies also highlighted the scenic appeal of the routes and the strategic placement of vertiports near business districts and train stations, essential for future passenger convenience.
The demo flights utilized the same aircraft model flown at Osaka Expo 2025, confirming its low noise signature despite operating in a busy airspace near Haneda Airport. The Tokyo initiative is a key step toward realizing autonomous urban air mobility, supported by government and corporate collaboration to establish passenger and cargo air taxi services in Japan.
