SkyDrive has announced the launch of Japan’s first vertiport operators’ consortium, formed to promote the establishment of commercial eVTOL services across the Kansai area. Partners in the region include the Osaka prefectural and municipal governments, the Osaka Metro Company, Soracle, and Marubeni Corporation.

Eight months after pausing its S-A2 eVTOL aircraft program and two months after cutting 80% of its workforce, Supernal has appointed a new chief technology officer and signed a joint development agreement with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)—two moves in one week that suggest Hyundai Motor Group hasn’t abandoned its eVTOL ambitions after all.

Canadian biotech company Unither Bioélectronique has made what it claims is the world’s first piloted hydrogen-electric helicopter circuit flight. This was completed on April 10 using a modified Robinson R44, one year after the demonstrator first flew, but not announced until May 7.

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has made the first flight of its experimental hybrid-electric XRQ-73 aircraft. The agency announced the flight on May 6, reporting that it had happened the previous month.

Sweden’s Savback Helicopters is partnering with Dufour Aerospace to launch a commercial drone logistics network across the country. The service is set to start across select fixed routes in 2027, using the Swiss manufacturer’s hybrid-electric, uncrewed Aero-200 tiltwing aircraft. The Aero-200 is targeting a range of 200 kilometers with a maximum payload of 20 kilograms (44 pounds).

The UK’s Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements Airborne Laboratory—a specially modified BAe 146 aircraft—has officially come to the end of its scientific research service. This follows a sudden announcement in February that its financial support, provided by the National Environment Research Council (NERC) via the UK public body UK Research and Innovation, was to be withdrawn.