SkyDrive and Whitesky Aviation Join Forces to Advance eVTOL Services and Route Planning in Indonesia

Japanese eVTOL startup SkyDrive has announced the completion of a joint promotional event with leading Indonesian helicopter operator Whitesky Aviation, held at Cengkareng Heliport adjacent to Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Event Confirms Market Demand

According to a SkyDrive press release, the event took place on June 23–24 over two days, successfully identifying potential customer demand from the mining, agriculture, and government sectors. The statement noted: "The Greater Jakarta metropolitan area suffers an estimated annual economic loss of approximately IDR 65 trillion due to traffic congestion. Mining is a vital industry across Indonesia's regions, collectively accounting for approximately 10% of regional GDP, while Indonesia's vast agricultural plantation estates — covering more than 15 million hectares — are heavily affected by logistics delays and inadequate disaster response capabilities stemming from underdeveloped infrastructure."

Strategic Partnership Background

SkyDrive and Whitesky had signed a strategic alliance agreement in August 2025 to jointly advance commercial eVTOL operations in Indonesia. The press release explained: "Because Whitesky operates Cengkareng Heliport directly adjacent to the airport, an air taxi service between the airport and the city center naturally emerged as the starting point for exploring the feasibility of urban eVTOL routes. Discussions were subsequently extended to potential eVTOL applications in the mining and agricultural sectors — two industries critical to driving Indonesia's sustainable economic development."

Concrete Application Scenarios Under Investigation

Following initial discussions on urban air taxi operations, SkyDrive and Whitesky are now actively advancing feasibility studies across three key eVTOL application areas:

Urban Air Taxi Service in the Greater Jakarta Area

Providing rapid shuttle services between Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Jakarta's city center — including nearby smart cities — effectively bypassing urban traffic congestion.

Mining Applications in Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Sumatra

Delivering services to mine sites characterized by poor road conditions and lengthy travel times, including personnel transport for engineers and workers, as well as emergency medical services equivalent to air ambulance capabilities, to address industrial accidents and natural disaster response needs.

Large-Scale Palm Oil, Pulp, and Sugar Plantation Applications

Providing site monitoring and patrol services for large agricultural plantation owners and managers. Given that conventional drones are limited in range and thus less effective for monitoring vast plantation estates, eVTOL aircraft can play a more critical role — particularly in the rapid detection and suppression of wildfires that occur frequently during the dry season.

Official Endorsement

Notably, Sokhib Al Rokhman, Director of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operations at Indonesia's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) under the Ministry of Transportation, visited the event in person to view a physical SkyDrive eVTOL model — a clear signal of the Indonesian government's strong interest in the program.

Image credit: SkyDrive eVTOL model being viewed by Sokhib Al Rokhman, Director of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operations, DGCA, Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation (Photo: SkyDrive)

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