The partnership will combine SkyDrive’s air mobility solutions with FEAM Aero’s expertise in line maintenance, creating a robust framework for the maintenance, support, and scalability of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, both across the United States and beyond.
SkyDrive, a Japanese firm, established a local subsidiary in the US in 2023. The company is now actively collaborating with US partners, including FEAM Aero, to develop practical use cases and tailor its offerings based on the current, real-world state of the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry. Rather than focusing solely on future possibilities, SkyDrive is strategically investing its resources to address the immediate priorities and tangible needs of the American market, the company said.
FEAM Aero has 52 global line stations in the US, the UK, Europe, and beyond, and supports more than 130,000 flights annually, servicing 70 operators, including major airlines, cargo carriers, regional airlines and private operators. The company sees commercial eVTOLs as the future of advanced air mobility, and it is this potential in SkyDrive’s pioneering approach to regional air transport that led to the recent business partnership.
SkyDrive and FEAM Aero will closely collaborate to develop and model diverse operational use cases, ensuring that SkyDrive’s eVTOL fleet operates efficiently and reliably across various real-world scenarios. The partnership will primarily focus on regional routes originating from regional airports, which are expected to receive quicker regulatory approval, enabling a faster roll-out of services.
“The partnership with FEAM Aero marks a pivotal step in establishing maintenance and aircraft support infrastructure for our eVTOL, ‘Skydrive', and constitutes a significant advancement towards eVTOLs in the United States market,” said Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive. “We are confident that this collaboration will enable us to build commercial use cases, not only in the southeastern US but also nationally and seamlessly integrate into existing transportation systems at regional airports across the United States.”
