Air India Limited, India’s leading global airline, SkyDrive Inc., a company engaged in the development, manufacture, and sales of eVTOL aircraft, and Suzuki Motor Corporation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to conduct a joint feasibility study on the use of eVTOL aircraft for medical air logistics in India.
India’s major cities face severe traffic congestion, creating significant challenges for time-critical medical logistics. By combining SkyDrive’s eVTOL technology, Air India’s operational expertise and Suzuki’s India market insight, the three companies will take on the challenge of realizing last-mile emergency medical logistics, contributing to the advancement of India’s medical infrastructure.
Ramesh Mamidala, Head of Cargo at Air India Limited, said India is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing aviation markets, making advanced air mobility a natural next step in the evolution of the country’s transportation ecosystem. He noted that Air India’s collaboration with SkyDrive and Suzuki reflects a shared commitment to exploring next-generation mobility solutions that address real-world transportation challenges while shaping the future of aviation.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Mamidala said the potential use of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for medical air logistics is particularly promising, as it combines technological innovation with meaningful public service by helping reduce critical transit times when every minute counts. He added that Air India will contribute its operational expertise, airport infrastructure knowledge and strong stakeholder relationships to support the feasibility study and help develop a safe, reliable and scalable framework for future eVTOL operations.
Tomohiro Fukuzawa, Founder and CEO of SkyDrive Inc. said, “Since our founding, SkyDrive has been dedicated to transforming the future of transportation through the aerial mobility revolution. We are incredibly proud to partner with Air India and Suzuki to take a step toward medical logistics—a sector where every second counts and lives can be saved. In India, where chronic congestion is a pressing issue, utilizing eVTOLs for advanced medical logistics—including the transport of high-value, time-critical medical supplies—will reshape medical infrastructure. We will work dedicatedly to contribute to saving as many lives as possible.”
Masao Fujitani, Executive General Manager, Next Generation Business Development at Suzuki Motor Corporation, said the eVTOL aircraft being developed by SkyDrive through its business and technology collaboration with Suzuki represents a new generation of mobility that reflects the company’s ‘Sho-Sho-Kei-Tan-Bi’ philosophy—Smaller, Fewer, Lighter, Shorter, and Neater. He added that the innovative aircraft has the potential to strengthen urban medical infrastructure by enabling faster and more efficient transportation solutions for healthcare and emergency services.
Under our corporate slogan, ‘By Your Side,’ Suzuki will continue to provide diverse mobility options tailored to customers’ needs and contribute to regional development. By collaborating with a wide range of mobility companies, including SkyDrive and Air India, Suzuki aims to realize ‘infrastructure mobility closely connected with people’s lives.’”
