SkyDrive Inc., a leading Japanese eVTOL aircraft manufacturer, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. ITC is a government organization under the Department of Municipalities and Transport that manages the emirate’s transportation system.
The announcement was made during DRIFTx 2025, which is part of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week organized by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council.
As part of the agreement, ITC plans to introduce SkyDrive’s eVTOL aircraft, the SD-05 model, as a mode of transportation in Abu Dhabi. The MOU represents a strategic cooperation between ITC and leading local and international partners, including SkyDrive, to advance autonomous and innovative transport solutions in the region.
Abu Dhabi is quickly becoming a global leader in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), placing eVTOL technology at the center of its future transportation plans. The city aims to integrate this innovative technology into its broader transport ecosystem.
Led by the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), Abu Dhabi has initiated a comprehensive program that includes developing regulations, planning vertiports and charging infrastructure, and conducting extensive feasibility studies. These efforts are positioning the Emirate to become one of the first cities in the world to launch commercial eVTOL operations.
The partnership between SkyDrive and ITC marks an important step toward making Abu Dhabi’s eVTOL vision a reality. The collaboration will focus on building a full eVTOL ecosystem in the city, including key infrastructure like vertiports and charging stations.
Additionally, the teams will conduct detailed feasibility studies for commercializing the “SKYDRIVE (SD-05)” aircraft. Together, SkyDrive and ITC aim to transform urban transportation in Abu Dhabi, offering residents and visitors a sustainable, efficient, and innovative air mobility solution integrated into the smart city framework.
“We are deeply honored to partner with the Integrated Transport Centre and the Abu Dhabi government, who are demonstrating exceptional leadership in advancing both the infrastructure and regulatory frameworks necessary for eVTOL commercialization,” says Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO and Founder of SkyDrive. “Abu Dhabi’s proactive approach and commitment to innovation make it an ideal partner as we work toward our vision of making the sky a part of everyday transportation. Through this collaboration with ITC, we look forward to delivering a transformative mobility experience that offers residents, business travelers, and tourists a faster, cleaner, and more sustainable way to navigate the Emirate.”
“These agreements reflect Abu Dhabi’s commitment to building a smart, integrated transport system and adopting the latest autonomous-driving and advanced air mobility technologies, in support of our vision for more efficient and better-connected cities”, says Dr. Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General at ITC. “As the regulatory authority for the transport sector, we are forging strategic local and international partnerships that will accelerate the shift towards future mobility solutions.”
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