SkyDrive Inc has announced that it has raised new funding through a third-party share allotment to Tobu Railway, one of Japan’s leading transportation operators, and Tobu Top Tours. “Through this partnership, the companies will work closely to accelerate commercial eVTOL deployment in the Kanto region by combining the Tobu Group’s extensive transportation and tourism assets with SkyDrive’s aircraft development and operational expertise,” said SkyDrive in a press release.
In Japan, SkyDrive has collaborated with four regional railway operators on feasibility studies and flight demonstrations. With this strategic investment, the Tobu Group becomes SkyDrive’s fifth railway partner. “Partnering with the Tobu Group, which operates one of Japan’s major private railway networks, allows SkyDrive to advance business development and plan ground infrastructure across the Kanto region, surrounding Tokyo,” said the company.
The companies will focus on the following core initiatives across the Kanto region. Tobu Railway will leverage its rail network, regional presence and tourism assets — particularly in the Nikko area — to establish and promote vertiport infrastructure. The partners will utilize Tobu Railway’s “SAKULaLa” common biometric authentication platform to enable accurate identity verification and boarding pass clearance, delivering a frictionless passenger experience. Tobu Top Tours will act as an operational connector, utilizing its destination management expertise and municipal networks to design new business models and package secondary transport services.
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(Image: SkyDrive)