SkyDrive Inc., a leading Japanese eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) manufacturer, has announced the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Aeroauto Global, Inc., a Florida-based Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) integration partner and infrastructure provider. This agreement marks a significant milestone in SkyDrive’s U.S. expansion, solidifying its commitment to the Florida market and establishing the basic terms for the purchase of eight “SKYDRIVE (SD_05)” aircraft, including pricing and a delivery schedule.
SkyDrive has also reached an agreement with SAI Flight to extend their existing partnership beyond South Carolina into Florida, where SAI currently operates its second largest base. With these two new agreements, SkyDrive has created a partnership cluster that will ensure a smooth entry into service in 2028 as attention to AAM in Florida grows. Florida is a high-potential market, and these partnerships will expand SkyDrive’s U.S. footprint across the Southeastern region.
By integrating SkyDrive’s proven expertise in eVTOL aircraft development with SAI’s air operations and Aeroauto’s established sales network, SkyDrive is building a comprehensive business foundation to support its U.S. market expansion. The complementary business models shared among SkyDrive, Aeroauto, and SAI represent a pivotal shift in the U.S. Advanced Air Mobility landscape, catalyzing a new wave of collaboration and operational readiness across the Southeastern corridor.
Strategic Expansion Across the U.S. Southeast
Driven by the mission to “lead the once-in-a-century mobility revolution,” SkyDrive is developing eVTOL aircraft to make the skies a part of everyday transportation. The company has identified the U.S. Southeast—a major hub for the aerospace industry—as a key strategic region for business development.
By combining the operational ecosystem established in South Carolina with Aeroauto’s reach in Florida’s massive tourism and business markets, SkyDrive is creating a seamless regional network. This collaboration will allow SkyDrive to extend its collaborative framework with local governments and airports into Florida, leading the development of next-generation mobility infrastructure across the entire region.
Future Outlook with Aeroauto
Under the agreement, Aeroauto plans to deploy the eight aircraft sequentially, with four units scheduled for delivery in 2028 and the remaining four in 2029. Working alongside Aeroauto—operator of the world’s first specialized eVTOL showroom—SkyDrive will accelerate the social acceptance and practical adoption of eVTOLs in the rapidly growing Southeast market.
Executive Comments
Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Aeroauto as a powerful partner in Florida, following our initial establishment in South Carolina. At SkyDrive, we are focused on demonstrating a tangible business foundation in the U.S., backed by an active supply chain and a functional sales network. Building on our success at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka and subsequent demonstrations in Tokyo, we are committed to driving market expansion across the U.S. Southeast from 2028 onward alongside our American partners.”
Sean Borman, Founder & CEO of Aeroauto, added: “Florida represents one of the most compelling launch markets for Advanced Air Mobility anywhere in the world. Our partnership with SkyDrive brings together a powerful combination of aircraft innovation, operational expertise, and infrastructure development. Through Aeroauto’s sales platform, vertiport development initiatives, and regional partnerships, we are working to build the commercial gateway for eVTOL operations across Florida and the broader Southeast United States. We are proud to collaborate with SkyDrive and SAI Flight Services to help bring this new form of transportation into everyday use.”
