SkyDrive Secures Investment from Tobu Group to Develop Kanto eVTOL Network
Japanese eVTOL developer SkyDrive has raised funding from Tobu Railway and Tobu Top Tours through a third-party share allotment, with the partners planning to work together on infrastructure and potential commercial air mobility services in the Kanto region.
The investment makes the Tobu Group SkyDrive’s fifth railway partner in Japan. The companies aim to combine SkyDrive’s aircraft development and operational work with Tobu’s transport network, tourism assets and regional business connections to support the introduction of eVTOL services.
One focus will be the development of ground infrastructure, including potential vertiport locations. Tobu Railway plans to draw on its network and tourism facilities, particularly around the Nikko area, to identify opportunities for sites that could connect air services with existing rail and other transport links.
The partners will also examine passenger processing using Tobu Railway’s SAKULaLa biometric authentication platform. The system is intended to support identity verification and boarding procedures. Tobu Top Tours will help develop potential travel packages and business models, drawing on its destination management activities and relationships with local authorities.
SkyDrive is targeting the launch of commercial services in 2028, although the announcement did not specify initial routes, service frequency, passenger capacity or vertiport locations.
The company is continuing work towards type certification for its compact electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. It conducted uncrewed demonstration flights at Expo 2025 Osaka and says it is progressing certification activities alongside commercialisation projects with partners and municipalities in 10 countries.
In Japan, SkyDrive has previously worked with Kintetsu Group, Osaka Metro, East Japan Railway Company and Kyushu Railway Company on feasibility studies and demonstration activities. The Tobu partnership extends that approach into the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo and surrounding areas.
