Video: the flying taxi SkyDrive has taken off over Tokyo, and commercial flights will begin in 2028

Brief news summary

When Where How Air taxi demonstration SkyDrive 5-day period ends by the end of the week Tokyo (Japan) With municipal support Mitsubishi Estate and Kanematsu Launch commercial operation 2028 Tokyo planned as part of the SkyDrive + Suzuki Motor project

1. Why tests are being launched now
- Regulatory requirements – launching air taxi services now depends more on rules than technical achievements.

- Government support – Tokyo sees aircraft as a new way to solve transportation problems for part of the population.

2. Technical specifications SD‑05
Parameter Value Maximum flight height 13 m above ground Test range ≤150 m (over the bay) Speed 4 m/s Motors 12 thrust electric motors driving propellers Maneuverability Quick 180° turn; control system ensures precise operation in dense urban areas Capacity 1 pilot + 2 passengers (currently the aircraft flies without people, controlled remotely) Future possibilities Autonomous flight with passengers on board

3. Development plan
Stage What is planned Test operation next year Continuation of SD‑05 trials Commercial transport (2028) Launch passenger flight services Pricing after 2030 Flight cost will be about twice the average ground taxi fare but lower than the cost of a pilot‑piloted helicopter at the outset

4. Infrastructure and market
- Sites – special sites with facial recognition system for boarding/alighting passengers.

- Customers – already 415 preorders in 8 countries (Indonesia, Vietnam, India, etc.).

- Production – plan to assemble up to 100 aircraft annually in Japan; about 50 % of SD‑05 components are Japanese-made.

- Economic forecast – the flying taxi market could grow almost 200-fold by 2050.

5. Certification and next steps
SkyDrive is currently undergoing aircraft and service certification. After successful completion, the company will obtain rights to commercial air transport, opening access to the market in the next couple of years.