Japan Biz Aviation (JBZ), a Japanese charter aircraft operator currently providing charter services with aircraft including the HondaJet and Bell 429 helicopter, has signed an MoU with SkyDrive, a compact eVTOL aircraft manufacturer based in Japan.

SkyDrive currently holds a cumulative total of 427 aircraft orders from partners in Japan and overseas, comprising pre-orders for 354 aircraft and basic purchase agreements for 73 aircraft. Outside Japan, the majority of these orders come from companies that already operate helicopters or charter aircraft and are therefore already in possession of the AOC required for aircraft operations.

The situation is different in Japan, where SkyDrive has received large numbers of orders from rail companies and other parties that do not currently hold an AOC. As such, to expand the range of its operations and grow the eVTOL market in Japan, SkyDrive intends to contract companies with significant operational and maintenance experience to support the commercial operations of its SD-05 eVTOL aircraft, ensuring a safe, smooth and reliable service launch. This first MoU with JBZ, a company with deep expertise in the field of business aircraft operations, is an agreement to move forward with concrete discussions on how these arrangements will be organised and implemented.

Under the MoU, both parties agree to discuss: the development of aircraft ownership and operations schemes, determining the respective roles played by SkyDrive, JBZ and aircraft buyers; and the development of a roadmap proposing a specific time frame for entry into service and other future plans.

SkyDrive will work together with JBZ and other future operations partners to ensure that parties purchasing SkyDrive aircraft can do so with complete confidence. This will allow strategic partners in all industries to own and generate revenue from SkyDrive aircraft, speeding the adoption of eVTOL technology across Japan.

SkyDrive CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa shares: “I am delighted that we have been able to sign this MoU with JBZ, a specialist operator of business aircraft, including rotorcraft. The strategy of helping players from various industries purchase and fly eVTOL is a core part of our efforts to ensure widespread uptake of eVTOL technology and promote the use of our aircraft across Japan. Together with JBZ, we will build safe, robust and reliable flight operations frameworks that will deliver the new experience of advanced air mobility to the public as soon as possible.”

Shin Koizumi, representative director, Japan Biz Aviation, adds: “We at JBZ are extremely honoured to have concluded this MoU with SkyDrive over the future operations of eVTOL aircraft in the Japanese market. Our business, through the operation of aircraft including HondaJets and Bell 429 helicopters, currently provides safety-first, high-value added mobility services that take into account the needs of the high-net worth individuals and other customers who entrust us with their aircraft.

“We are working to promote business jet and helicopter charters as a new mobility option for travel around Japan. This MoU is an important additional step forward that further broadens our business scope, allowing us to apply the operational know-how developed through our ongoing businesses to the new fields of eVTOL and advanced air mobility.

“The combination of SkyDrive’s technology and our operational knowledge will move us forward towards the goal of introducing advanced air mobility to passengers in Japan.”

Based at Tokyo’s Haneda airport, Japan Biz Aviation provides comprehensive aircraft services including commercial charter operations for the HondaJet, other business jets and helicopters such as the Bell 429. The company handles aircraft operation and aircraft asset management under contract from aircraft owners. With a priority on safety, JBZ serves its customers with permission from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The company is focused on flexible operational and management practices that meet the needs of aircraft owners to deliver high value added air mobility services.

Since the launch of its business, JBZ has also pioneered joint aircraft ownership as a new ownership and usage option for general aviation in Japan, allowing a wider range of individual and corporate partners to generate value from aircraft assets. JBZ is a member of Japan General Aviation Service (JGAS) group which maintains aircraft, sells components and provides pilot training services.