Japan-based compact eVTOL aircraft manufacturer SkyDrive has appointed Taiji Ono as executive vice president and head of global business and Gonzalo Ramos as global commercial officer. Under the executive leadership structure, SkyDrive will accelerate its preparations for commercial operation and service launches in Japan and around the world, specifically advancing route development and establishing operational frameworks.

SkyDrive has been accelerating aircraft development, including high-speed flight tests and type certification activities with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). To date, it has partnered with airlines, operators, local governments and business partners across 10 countries to develop routes and evaluate specific use cases. Pre-orders and letters of intent (LOIs) total 451 aircraft for the SkyDrive SD-05 model.

Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive, says: “The coming year represents a pivotal phase for SkyDrive as we convert this momentum into firm commercial orders, sales contracts and definitive commitments toward commercial operations.”

As executive vice president and head of global business, Ono oversees global business strategy, commercial models and sales strategy worldwide, including Japan. Within the Japanese market, he leads public-private partnerships and government affairs to advance policies for industry growth and the integration of eVTOL technology into society. Ono spent nearly 17 years at Toyota Motor Corporation, holding roles in sales and sales planning, serving as vice president of the labour union and joining the executive support and government affairs team, where he worked with agencies including the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). He joined a data platform company in 2022 as chief strategy officer and general manager of business development.

Ono adds: “Just as automobiles gave people freedom of movement, advanced air mobility has the potential to redefine the very nature of human mobility.”

As global commercial officer, Ramos leads commercial expansion across key international markets, including the United States, Middle East, Europe and Australia. He is responsible for driving customer acquisition, closing aircraft sales contracts and building post-delivery maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and aftermarket support infrastructure and partnerships. An aerospace engineer by training, Ramos brings over 22 years of experience in commercial aviation, aircraft leasing and advanced air mobility (AAM). He spent almost 18 years at Airbus commercial aircraft, progressing to sales director in Miami, Florida, before serving as vice president at Griffin Global Asset Management. He then moved into advanced air mobility as head of business development and sales at Overair and subsequently as vice president of commercialisation, sales and partnerships at Supernal.

Ramos adds: “SkyDrive has a rare combination: an aircraft designed around simplicity and real operating economics, a team with the discipline to certify it and a manufacturing partner able to build it at scale.”

In the next phase of its expansion, SkyDrive is focusing on establishing specific operational routes across target regions, strengthening strategic partnerships, driving commercial sales contracts and building post-delivery operational support systems alongside its ongoing aircraft development and certification efforts.