SkyDrive has signed a strategic alliance with F&E Aircraft Maintenance (Miami), (FEAM Aero), with the aim of creating a robust framework for the maintenance, support and scalability of eVTOL aircraft, both across the US and beyond.

SkyDrive established a local subsidiary in the US in 2023. The company is now actively collaborating with US 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 US, the UK and Europe, 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​.

“The partnership with FEAM Aero marks a pivotal step in establishing maintenance and aircraft support infrastructure for our SD-05 eVTOL, and constitutes a significant advancement towards eVTOLs in the United States market,” says SkyDrive CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa. “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 revolutionised by eVTOL technology,” adds 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.”