Suzuki-backed SkyDrive is targeting commercial operations of its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in India by 2028-29, as the Japanese company explores applications ranging from medical logistics to passenger air taxis, its founder and Chief Executive Officer Tomohiro Fukuzawa said.
SkyDrive is currently working towards type certification for its aircraft, with certification in Japan and the US planned within about two years. The company is already in discussions with India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation and plans to apply for Indian certification after obtaining global approvals.
“We hope in 2028 or 29,” Fukuzawa said when asked about the timeline for launching services in India.
SkyDrive has already conducted more than 300 flight tests at speeds of around 100 km per hour and is now working towards certification. The company expects commercialisation in Japan and India once the required approvals are in place.
“We are already talking with regulators in India. But our formal application might be in a very later stage of getting certification in Japan or the US,” Fukuzawa said.
SkyDrive has partnered with Suzuki for about five years, initially focusing on manufacturing. Suzuki is also an investor in SkyDrive and is its manufacturing partner. The aircraft being tested by SkyDrive is manufactured by Suzuki.
The companies are also exploring the possibility of manufacturing the aircraft in India. SkyDrive said India could serve not only its domestic market but potentially markets in the Middle East and Africa, helped by Suzuki's existing parts supply chain in the country.
“We are also trying to collaborate with Suzuki to make a factory in India in the future, too,” Fukuzawa said.
The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Air India to study potential applications for its eVTOL aircraft in the country. The initial focus is expected to be on medical and logistics applications, including the movement of organs and other time-sensitive cargo between airports and hospitals.
The aircraft can carry a payload of up to 300 kg and has three seats, including one pilot and two passengers. It is powered entirely by batteries and has a range of around 30-40 km with payload. Its maximum operating altitude is 2,000 metres, while charging takes about 20-30 minutes. The battery capacity is 60-70 kWh.
The company sees eVTOLs as an alternative to helicopters in urban areas, where noise and cost can limit helicopter operations. SkyDrive expects its aircraft to be cheaper than helicopters and eventually aims to offer passenger services at around twice the price of an Uber ride.
“So, our target is less than helicopter. And we hope around two times of Uber in a few years,” Fukuzawa said, when asked about cost and pricing.
The aircraft could cost between $2 million and $4 million, although SkyDrive has not yet disclosed a final price. Fukuzawa said the target price would be half or less than that of a twin-engine helicopter.
SkyDrive said it currently has around 490 global pre-orders, including about 50 from India, mainly from helicopter operators. The company expects helicopter operators to be among its early customers, while also remaining open to sales to private buyers.
The company plans to focus on supplying the aircraft rather than operating air taxi services itself and is looking to work with multiple operators.
Fukuzawa said India could become the company's biggest market in the long term because of its large population, rising mobility demand and increasing traffic congestion. “If you look 10 years later, maybe the biggest market is in India,” he said.