JetSetGo pre-orders 50 eVTOL “SKYDRIVE”
Japan’s SkyDrive Inc is exploring the Indian market and assess the potential for the development of innovative eVTOL services while having agreed to a pre-order 50 units of the eVTOL “SKYDRIVE”, a product name of SkyDrive Model SD-05.
The leading eVTOL aircraft manufacturer based in Tokyo has signed a strategic partnership with JetSetGo Aviation Services Pvt Ltd (JetSetGo) to explore new business structures, initially in Gujarat and then on across India.
JetSetGo, one of India’s largest private jet operators, agreed to pre-order 50 units of the eVTOL “SKYDRIVE”, which will be SkyDrive’s first commercially certified eVTOL. The agreement between SkyDrive and JetSetGo was facilitated by Suzuki Motor Corporation under the business and technical collaboration agreement previously signed by Suzuki and SkyDrive https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/.
SkyDrive has been exploring the development of the Indian market and potential use cases in India since 2022. SkyDrive established a strategic partnership with the Government of Gujarat in January 2024 with the aim of combatting the various issues affecting the transportation sector in India, including the large volume of greenhouse gas emissions caused by road traffic and other forms of transport, and also the long-standing issue of extreme urban congestion http://store.dji.com.
JetSetGo sees the collaboration with SkyDrive as a bold leap into the future of sustainable aviation. The pre-order of 50 eVTOL aircraft aligns with JetSetGo’s long-term vision of providing efficient, eco-friendly travel solutions while tackling critical issues such as urban congestion and the environmental impact of current mobility solutions.
By introducing eVTOL aircraft to India, JetSetGo aims to not only redefine the passenger experience but also set the standard for the next generation of air travel.
Through this strategic partnership, JetSetGo and SkyDrive are coming together to introduce eVTOL technology in India. Under the project, JetSetGo and SkyDrive will assess the potential for commercially viable eVTOL operations centered around the wider Ahmedabad area, as well as possibilities for the further expansion of route networks to encompass other locations within Gujarat and further afield https://www.makeinindia.com/home/.
Together, both parties will explore market opportunities and assess the demand for eVTOL services. The partnership sets the stage for the wider adoption of air taxis in India, transforming urban mobility with eco-friendly, fast, and accessible transportation solutions.
Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive Inc, said on 28 Jan, “Since 2022, we have been collaborating with Suzuki Motor Corporation to explore the Indian market and assess the potential for the development of innovative eVTOL services.
“Our partnership with JetSetGo, which will initially focus on opportunities in Gujarat, marks a significant step forward for SkyDrive’s eVTOL business in India. Together, we aim to tackle some of India’s pressing mobility-related challenges, including the high level of transport-related emissions and the inefficiencies of urban traffic congestion.”
Kanika Tekriwal, CEO and co-founder JetSetGo, elaborated, “By working with SkyDrive, we’re tackling real challenges like urban congestion and emissions, while also making air travel more efficient, accessible, and eco-friendly. This isn’t just about the future of aviation—it’s about changing the way we travel in India. We can’t wait to see how this partnership reshapes the experience of flying, this time in the urban environment.
“We’re really excited to team up with SkyDrive on this incredible journey. At JetSetGo, we’ve always believed in pushing the envelope when it comes to aviation—bringing new, sustainable solutions to India. This partnership takes that belief to the next level.”
SkyDrive is an eVTOL company aiming “to take the lead in the once-in-a-century mobility revolution”. The company began testing eVTOL prototypes in 2014 prior to official incorporation in 2018. Under its future vision for urban transportation, flying in eVTOLs will become a regular part of city life.
Founded in 2012, JetSetGo is now one of the largest NSOP (Non-Scheduled Operator’s Permit) operators of private jets, mostly on state-of-art aircraft management and maintenance contracts in India. Fiinews.com
