SkyDrive partners with Airtificial to manufacture structural parts in Spain
SkyDrive has partnered with Airtificial to produce and supply lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastic parts.
SkyDrive Inc., a Japanese manufacturer of compact electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has partnered with Airtificial Aerospace & Defense, S.A.U., a Spanish leader in aero-structures and avionics. Announced at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, this strategic agreement involves the production of lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) components for SkyDrive's Model SD-05 aircraft.
Airtificial will manufacture key primary and secondary structural parts using its expertise in composite materials. The use of high-performance CFRP composites is crucial for reducing structural weight and enhancing battery efficiency and aircraft range, which are essential for eVTOLs with high-voltage propulsion systems.
The collaboration aims to secure a scalable European manufacturing footprint for SkyDrive's aircraft. Airtificial will apply its specialized aerospace-grade technologies to produce flight-critical components that meet stringent standards of structural integrity.
Guillermo Fernández de Peñaranda, CEO of Airtificial Group, emphasized that the agreement validates Airtificial's strategy of international expansion and innovation. Arnaud Coville, CTO of SkyDrive, highlighted Airtificial's rapid tooling capabilities and expertise in advanced manufacturing as key factors in accelerating SkyDrive's path toward airworthiness certification and a commercial launch in 2028.
Airtificial operates in 18 countries, providing design and manufacturing solutions across various industries, including aerospace and defense. SkyDrive, headquartered in Toyota, Japan, aims to revolutionize urban transportation with its eVTOL technology, having already showcased its capabilities at the Osaka Expo in 2025.
Source: Carbon Fiber Feed