SkyDrive Inc has announced the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) with MASC (Okayama Kurashiki Mizushima Aero & Space Industry Cluster Study Group for the purchase of SKYDRIVE (SkyDrive Model SD-05) aircraft.
“The LOI includes basic agreements over specific aircraft pricing and delivery schedules,” said SkyDrive in a press release. “Concurrent with the agreement, both parties have also worked together to designate future aerial sightseeing routes that will allow passengers to experience the beauty of Japan’s Inland Sea through flights over and around the Kasaoka Islands, Kojima and Washuzan among other areas.
SkyDrive plans to launch commercial service of its aircraft in 2028. In November 2023, MASC and SkyDrive signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on a pre-order for the future purchase of the SKYDRIVE. Since signing the MOU, both parties have held further discussions over a concrete purchase timeline, with those discussions culminating in today’s announcement of an official LOI detailing aircraft sales prices and delivery schedules. Under the LOI, SkyDrive plans to deliver two aircraft to MASC during 2028, with the goal of entering those two aircraft into service the same year.
“As part of their collaboration SkyDrive and MASC aim to promote tourism over Japan’s Inland Sea.,” said SkyDrive. “After a series of discussions, both parties have proposed plans for future EVTOL tourist routes. These plans form part of MASC’s “SCAI28” business plan, which includes proposals to spur local tourist-based businesses through the development of air mobility corridors between the beach resort of Ushimado and Shodo Island and also between Uno and the well-known “Art Island” of Naoshima. Further plans include circular tours starting and concluding in Washuzan. SkyDrive and MASC have now added details to these plans with the establishment of specific routes including one route that will circle the skies above the Kasaoka Islands, enjoying the beauty of the many islands dotted throughout the bay, and another route focusing on the stunning coastal scenery around Kojima and Washuzan.
“Beyond Tourism, MASC and SkyDrive are also examining ways to harness the potential of eVTOL to provide wider community benefits.”
For more information
https://skydrive.co.jp/en/archives/17776
(From left SkyDrive Inc., Executive Officer and Chief Business Development Officer Hiroyuki Murai, MASC President Minehito Inoue – SkyDrive)