SkyDrive, a leading eVTOL (*1) aircraft manufacturer based in Japan, has announced the signing of a strategic alliance with F&E Aircraft Maintenance (Miami), LLC (“FEAM Aero”). This partnership combines SkyDrive’s innovative air mobility solutions with FEAM Aero’s extensive expertise in line maintenance, creating a robust framework for the maintenance, support, and scalability of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, both across the U.S. and beyond.
SkyDrive established a local subsidiary in the U.S. in 2023. The company is now actively collaborating with U.S. partners, including FEAM Aero, to develop practical use cases and tailor its offerings based on the current, real-world state of the Advanced Air Mobility industry. Rather than focusing solely on future possibilities, the company is strategically investing its resources to address the immediate priorities and tangible needs of the American market.
FEAM Aero has 52 global line stations in the U.S., the U.K., Europe, etc., and supports more than 130,000 flights annually, servicing 70 operators, including major airlines, cargo carriers, regional airlines and private operators. The company sees commercial eVTOLs as the future of advanced air mobility, and it is this potential in SkyDrive’s pioneering approach to regional air transport that led to the recent business partnership.
SkyDrive and FEAM Aero will closely collaborate to develop and model diverse operational use cases, ensuring that SkyDrive’s eVTOL fleet operates efficiently and reliably across various real-world scenarios. The partnership will primarily focus on regional routes originating from regional airports, which are expected to receive quicker regulatory approval, enabling a faster roll-out of services.
By combining FEAM Aero’s expertise in maintenance, retrofitting, and operational support, the partnership will facilitate the smooth incorporation of eVTOL services into current aviation infrastructure, helping to build a fully integrated and scalable air mobility network.
Through this partnership, SkyDrive and FEAM Aero seek to redefine regional air mobility, delivering eco-friendly, reliable air transport solutions to customers worldwide.
“The partnership with FEAM Aero marks a pivotal step in establishing maintenance and aircraft support infrastructure for our eVTOL, ‘SKYDRIVE'(*2), and constitutes a significant advancement towards eVTOLs in the United States market,” said Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive. “We are confident that this collaboration will enable us to build commercial use cases, not only in the southeastern US but also nationally and seamlessly integrate into existing transportation systems at regional airports across the United States.”
“This partnership marks another significant milestone for FEAM Aero as we continue expanding our role in the rapidly evolving Advanced Air Mobility industry—a field we believe will be revolutionized by eVTOL technology,” said Cam Murphy, President of FEAM Aero. “Our collaboration with SkyDrive reflects FEAM’s commitment to innovation and our leadership in aviation maintenance. By blending our trusted expertise in maintenance with SkyDrive’s pioneering approach to regional air transport, we are establishing a best-in-class support ecosystem that positions FEAM at the forefront of the next era in aviation.”
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