SkyDrive Secures Its Vertical Future in Florida

SkyDrive secures key Florida partners to launch its electric air taxi service by 2028, turning sci-fi travel into a regional reality

21 Apr 2026

The future of Florida transit is looking up, and it is doing so with a distinct Japanese flair. SkyDrive, the pioneer that conducted Japan’s first crewed electric vertical takeoff and landing flight, has officially planted its flag in the Sunshine State. At the recent VERTICON 2026 event in Atlanta, the company finalized two critical deals that transform its 2028 commercial launch from a lofty goal into a logistical plan.

The first piece of the puzzle involves Aeroauto, a Florida firm that operates one of the world's only showrooms dedicated to flying cars. They have committed to purchasing eight SD-05 aircraft, with the first half of the fleet arriving just in time for the 2028 rollout. Aeroauto provides the necessary handshake between cutting-edge tech and the local business community.

Operations, however, require more than just a showroom floor. To get these quiet, battery-powered craft off the ground, SkyDrive is expanding its partnership with SAI Flight. By leveraging SAI’s existing infrastructure in Florida, the manufacturer avoids the slow process of building its own hangars and runways from scratch.

This strategy creates a self-sustaining ecosystem. While Aeroauto handles the sales and vertiport pipeline, SAI Flight provides the operational backbone. It is a pragmatic approach to a sector that has often been accused of selling vaporware.

Florida is the ideal proving ground for this technology. The state’s flat geography and booming tourism industry make it a prime candidate for short-hop aerial commutes. If SkyDrive succeeds, the 2028 launch will mark the moment that electric flight moves from experimental curiosity to a standard way to beat the highway traffic.

By locking in these partnerships now, SkyDrive is ensuring that when the aircraft are ready, the ground game is already won. The company is betting that the US Southeast will be the first place where residents treat a flying taxi as just another way to get to the office. Every piece of the puzzle is now in place for a quiet revolution in the skies.