SkyDrive Establishes Strategic Partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre

TOYOTA, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 17, 2025--

SkyDrive Inc. (“SkyDrive”), a leading eVTOL (*1) aircraft manufacturer based in Japan, is pleased to announce that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), a government organization and affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport that oversees and manages the overall transportation system in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (UAE), signed several strategic cooperation agreements with leading local and international, including SkyDrive, on day two of DRIFTx 2025, held as part of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week organized by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council. ITC is going to introduce the eVTOL "SKYDRIVE (SkyDrive type SD-05 model) (*2)” as a means of transportation in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

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[Background and Objectives]

Abu Dhabi is emerging as a global leader in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), strategically positioning eVTOL technology at the heart of its future transportation ecosystem. Under the leadership of the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), the Emirate has launched a comprehensive initiative encompassing regulatory framework development, vertiport and charging infrastructure planning, and extensive feasibility studies—positioning Abu Dhabi to become one of the world's first cities to launch commercial eVTOL operations.

This partnership between SkyDrive and ITC represents a pivotal step toward realizing this vision. The collaboration will focus on three key pillars: establishing a comprehensive eVTOL ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, developing critical infrastructure including vertiports and charging stations, and conducting thorough commercialization feasibility studies for the "SKYDRIVE (SD-05)" aircraft. Together, SkyDrive and ITC aim to transform urban mobility in the UAE capital, offering residents and visitors an innovative, sustainable, and efficient transportation solution that seamlessly integrates air mobility into Abu Dhabi's smart city infrastructure.

"We are deeply honored to partner with the Integrated Transport Centre and the Abu Dhabi government, who are demonstrating exceptional leadership in advancing both the infrastructure and regulatory frameworks necessary for eVTOL commercialization," says Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO and Founder of SkyDrive. "Abu Dhabi's proactive approach and commitment to innovation make it an ideal partner as we work toward our vision of making the sky a part of everyday transportation. Through this collaboration with ITC, we look forward to delivering a transformative mobility experience that offers residents, business travelers, and tourists a faster, cleaner, and more sustainable way to navigate the Emirate."

“These agreements reflect Abu Dhabi’s commitment to building a smart, integrated transport system and adopting the latest autonomous-driving and advanced air mobility technologies, in support of our vision for more efficient and better-connected cities”, says Dr. Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General at ITC. “As the regulatory authority for the transport sector, we are forging strategic local and international partnerships that will accelerate the shift towards future mobility solutions.”

About Integrated Transportation Centre

The Integration Transport Centre (ITC) is a government entity established in 2016, responsible for the planning, design, and operation of all integrated transport systems in Abu Dhabi including land, marine, and air transport. The ITC is committed to developing sustainable, efficient, and innovative transport solutions that enhance the quality of life and support the Emirate’s economic growth.
For more information, please visit: https://admobility.gov.ae/en/home

About SkyDrive Inc.

SkyDrive is a Japanese eVTOL company aiming “to take the lead in the once-in-a-century mobility revolution”. The company began testing eVTOL prototypes in 2014 prior to official incorporation in 2018. Under its future vision for urban transportation, flying in eVTOLs will become a regular part of city life. In 2019, SkyDrive became the first company to fly a crewed eVTOL in Japan. The company successfully showcased the eVTOL "SKYDRIVE", the company’s first eVTOL product, with demonstration flights spanning one month at the Osaka Expo, witnessed by thousands of visitors. SkyDrive began production of “SKYDRIVE” in March 2024 at a plant owned by Suzuki Motor Corporation, SkyDrive's official production partner. SkyDrive has been working with civil aviation authorities in Japan and the US to obtain certification for “SKYDRIVE”, and aims to launch the service in 2028. SkyDrive is headquartered in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, and led by CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa, an engineer and entrepreneur.
For more information, please visit: https://en.skydrive2020.com/

Editor’s Note:
(*1) “eVTOL” is an abbreviation for electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing. As the name suggests, eVTOL aircraft can take off and land without a runway. eVTOLs are powered by electricity and incorporate advanced, automatic, flight control technology.

Right: Dr.Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) / Center; His Excellency, Dr. Saif Al Nasri, Undersecretary of the Department of Municipalities and Transport/Left: Takehiko Sato, Chief Strategy Officer, SkyDrive. The signing ceremony was held at "DRIFTx," an automotive and mobility event held in Abu Dhabi on November 11, 2025.

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — Iraq overcame major logistical issues to become the 48th and final team to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup with a 2-1 win over Bolivia in an intercontinental playoff Tuesday, ending a wait of four decades to return to soccer's marquee global event.

Ali Almahadi opened the scoring in the 18th minute, Moises Paniagua tied it for Bolivia in the 38th and Aymen Hussein scored the clincher in the 53rd minute for Iraq. The Iraq team will join Group I along with France, Norway and Senegal.

“We have nothing to lose, let’s try to shock the world with a crazy result and performance. It is great that we qualified,” Iraq coach Graham Arnold said. “It is a privilege for us."

Arnold, who guided Australia at the 2022 World Cup, said he didn't think his Iraqi players had faced the likes of France star Kylian Mbappe or Norway's Erling Haaland.

"It will be an honor. We respect those players and what they do, but we will try to win.”

Iraq will be back at the World Cup for the first time since Mexico 1986, kicking off June 16 against Norway at Foxborough, followed by games against France on June 22 at Philadelphia and Senegal at Toronto on June 26.

Bolivia missed out on qualifying for its second World Cup.

“What remains is pain and frustration; we feel devastated by the result," Bolivia coach Oscar Villegas said. “These young men lost with honor on the field and gave everything to achieve the result, but unfortunately, the country missed out on the World Cup.”

The match was played in front of 49,286 fans at the BBVA stadium in Monterrey, one of three host cities in Mexico for the World Cup.

“I’ve got to give full credit to the players — their fighting spirit was unreal,” Arnold said in comments posted on fifa.com. "They put their body on the line, and 46 million people are proud.”

Earlier this month, Iraq faced uncertainty about even been able to contest the playoffs. The war in Iran resulted in Iraqi players being stranded because their country’s airspace was closed, preventing the team from using commercial flights to leave. Team officials officially asked FIFA to postpone the playoff match.

“Everything that is going on in the Middle East made it a little bit harder but the main thing I said, and I worked very hard on, was their mentality,” Graham said. “I banned social media since the day we got here. I did not want them to think of what is going on in the Middle East because they had to focus on the job we had here.”

The team also faced visa complications because Mexico does not have an embassy in Iraq and players struggled to obtain visas. But the issue was resolved when the Mexico's foreign affairs ministry facilitated visas at other regional embassies.

The team finally arrived in Monterrey on March 21 after a 25-hour journey that included navigating travel restrictions and a stopover in Portugal.

Congo scored in extra time to edge Jamaica 1-0 earlier Tuesday to become the 47th of 48 teams that will play at the World Cup.

Axel Tuanzebe scored following a corner kick in the 100th minute. The Jamaican defenders failed to clear the ball and Tuanzebe, who plays for Burnley in the English Premier League tapped it into the net.

Congo has never played in a World Cup under that name, although it participated in the 1974 edition in Germany as Zaire.

With its victory in the intercontinental playoff at the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, Congo completed Group K at the World Cup, where it will face Colombia, Portugal, and Uzbekistan.

“We’re going to enjoy the qualification, but we’ll keep working. We know we’ll be facing top nations who play in the World Cup every four years," Congo captain Chancel Mbemba said. "We’ll stay humble, keep our feet on the ground, and continue to work. We’ll give everything to make our supporters and our people proud.”

The Jamaica team, known as the Reggae Boyz, missed out on what would have been a second World Cup appearance.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Iraq's Aymen Hussein celebrates scoring his side's 2nd goal during the World Cup playoff final soccer match between Iraq and Bolivia in Monterrey, Mexico, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Iraq's Ali Al-Hamadi, right, celebrates scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup playoff final soccer match between Iraq and Bolivia in Monterrey, Mexico, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Iraq's Aymen Hussein, left, is congratulated after scoring his side's 2nd goal during the World Cup playoff final soccer match between Iraq and Bolivia in Monterrey, Mexico, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

DR Congo's players celebrate at the end of the World Cup playoff final soccer match between DR Congo and Jamaica in Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

DR Congo's players celebrate at the end of the World Cup playoff final soccer match between DR Congo and Jamaica in Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)