SkyDrive and NEXCO West Japan Conclude Partnership Agreement on Flying Car Business
SkyDrive and NEXCO West Japan have signed a partnership agreement to explore the business possibilities of flying cars at service and parking areas (SA/PA) along expressways. This collaboration aims to create new experiential value through next-generation mobility, contribute to regional development, and enhance disaster prevention functions. It marks a significant step towards the commercialization of flying cars by 2028.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 03:27
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 19:02
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 20:02 (1h 0m after Collected)
SkyDrive Inc. (Headquarters: Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture; CEO: Tomohiro Fukuzawa; hereinafter "SkyDrive") and West Nippon Expressway Company Limited (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; President: Zenji Shibamura; hereinafter "NEXCO West Japan") are pleased to announce that they have concluded a "Partnership Agreement concerning a Flying Car Business at SA/PA." This agreement aims to explore the business possibilities of flying cars (*Note 1) at service areas and parking areas (hereinafter "SA/PA").
From left: Mr. Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive, Mr. Zenji Shibamura, President of NEXCO West Japan
1. Background
SkyDrive's mission is to "lead the mobility revolution that happens once every 100 years." It is developing flying cars with the goal of realizing a future where the sky is used as an everyday mode of transportation. SkyDrive successfully conducted demonstration flights at the Osaka-Kansai Expo and in Osaka's urban areas for approximately one and a half months in 2025, and in Tokyo in February 2026. Looking ahead to the next major milestone, the company is working towards commercialization in 2028.
NEXCO West Japan, under its mid-term management plan "MOVE!2030," has a vision to "create new value and develop together with local communities." It is actively challenging new business domains to contribute to solving regional and social issues.
In the process of considering the social implementation of flying cars, SkyDrive focused on utilizing SA/PA located near the areas under consideration. By adding vertiport functions to existing SA/PA, which are typically installed every 10-30 km, SkyDrive believes it can create new experiential value through next-generation mobility and contribute to the development of regions along expressways.
NEXCO West Japan also decided that this collaboration aligns not only with the policies of its mid-term management plan but also with the concept of social implementation of the "Expo Legacy" promoted by the Kansai Economic Federation, a public interest incorporated association to which it belongs as a corporate member, and thus began discussions for this partnership.
2. Purpose and Content of this Partnership
This partnership will explore the possibility of introducing flying cars based at SA/PA under the jurisdiction of NEXCO West Japan.
(1) Creation of New Value and Contribution to Local Communities
SA/PA will be transformed into destinations where new values, such as sightseeing flights, can be experienced. In the future, they are expected to serve as hubs for regional development.
(2) Enhancement of Disaster Prevention Functions
This initiative is also expected to play a certain role in disaster prevention and mitigation, such as grasping damage conditions and considering restoration measures during disasters.
3. Future Development
SkyDrive and NEXCO West Japan will jointly consider utilization methods and candidate areas to achieve the social implementation of flying cars, which are anticipated as next-generation mobility, as well as the creation of new value, regional revitalization at SA/PA, and the enhancement of disaster response capabilities.
Image of SKYDRIVE (SkyDrive SD-05 model) taking off and landing at a service area
*Note 1: What are flying cars? Flying cars are next-generation aerial mobility solutions that are easy to use and sustainable, realized through electrification, automation, and other aviation technologies, as well as operation methods such as vertical takeoff and landing. In other countries, they are called Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) or Urban Air Mobility (UAM).
Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (dated March, Reiwa 8) https://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/content/001994084.pdf
[Related Press Releases, etc.]
・SkyDrive's Press Release on Demonstration Flights at Osaka-Kansai Expo
https://skydrive.co.jp/archives/65240
・SkyDrive's Press Release on Demonstration Flights at Osaka Port Vertiport
https://skydrive.co.jp/archives/66607
・SkyDrive's Press Release on Tokyo Demonstration Flights
https://skydrive.co.jp/archives/68940
https://skydrive.co.jp/archives/69096
・NEXCO West Japan's Mid-term Management Plan "MOVE!2030"
https://corp.w-nexco.co.jp/corporate/release/hq/r8/0424/
・Kansai Economic Federation's Press Release on "Kansai Flying Car Future Vision"
https://www.kankeiren.or.jp/material/260325release.pdf
From left: Mr. Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive, Mr. Zenji Shibamura, President of NEXCO West Japan
1. Background
SkyDrive's mission is to "lead the mobility revolution that happens once every 100 years." It is developing flying cars with the goal of realizing a future where the sky is used as an everyday mode of transportation. SkyDrive successfully conducted demonstration flights at the Osaka-Kansai Expo and in Osaka's urban areas for approximately one and a half months in 2025, and in Tokyo in February 2026. Looking ahead to the next major milestone, the company is working towards commercialization in 2028.
NEXCO West Japan, under its mid-term management plan "MOVE!2030," has a vision to "create new value and develop together with local communities." It is actively challenging new business domains to contribute to solving regional and social issues.
In the process of considering the social implementation of flying cars, SkyDrive focused on utilizing SA/PA located near the areas under consideration. By adding vertiport functions to existing SA/PA, which are typically installed every 10-30 km, SkyDrive believes it can create new experiential value through next-generation mobility and contribute to the development of regions along expressways.
NEXCO West Japan also decided that this collaboration aligns not only with the policies of its mid-term management plan but also with the concept of social implementation of the "Expo Legacy" promoted by the Kansai Economic Federation, a public interest incorporated association to which it belongs as a corporate member, and thus began discussions for this partnership.
2. Purpose and Content of this Partnership
This partnership will explore the possibility of introducing flying cars based at SA/PA under the jurisdiction of NEXCO West Japan.
(1) Creation of New Value and Contribution to Local Communities
SA/PA will be transformed into destinations where new values, such as sightseeing flights, can be experienced. In the future, they are expected to serve as hubs for regional development.
(2) Enhancement of Disaster Prevention Functions
This initiative is also expected to play a certain role in disaster prevention and mitigation, such as grasping damage conditions and considering restoration measures during disasters.
3. Future Development
SkyDrive and NEXCO West Japan will jointly consider utilization methods and candidate areas to achieve the social implementation of flying cars, which are anticipated as next-generation mobility, as well as the creation of new value, regional revitalization at SA/PA, and the enhancement of disaster response capabilities.
Image of SKYDRIVE (SkyDrive SD-05 model) taking off and landing at a service area
*Note 1: What are flying cars? Flying cars are next-generation aerial mobility solutions that are easy to use and sustainable, realized through electrification, automation, and other aviation technologies, as well as operation methods such as vertical takeoff and landing. In other countries, they are called Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) or Urban Air Mobility (UAM).
Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (dated March, Reiwa 8) https://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/content/001994084.pdf
[Related Press Releases, etc.]
・SkyDrive's Press Release on Demonstration Flights at Osaka-Kansai Expo
https://skydrive.co.jp/archives/65240
・SkyDrive's Press Release on Demonstration Flights at Osaka Port Vertiport
https://skydrive.co.jp/archives/66607
・SkyDrive's Press Release on Tokyo Demonstration Flights
https://skydrive.co.jp/archives/68940
https://skydrive.co.jp/archives/69096
・NEXCO West Japan's Mid-term Management Plan "MOVE!2030"
https://corp.w-nexco.co.jp/corporate/release/hq/r8/0424/
・Kansai Economic Federation's Press Release on "Kansai Flying Car Future Vision"
https://www.kankeiren.or.jp/material/260325release.pdf