NEXT DELIVERY Launches “SkyHub® Training Center” ～A Practical Training Program to Develop Immediate-Impact Professionals in Drone Logistics, packaging Japan’s top-class operational achievements into an open training program～

NEXT DELIVERY Inc. (Headquarters: Kosuge Village, Yamanashi Prefecture; President & CEO: Keisuke Taji; hereinafter “NEXT DELIVERY”) announces the launch of the SkyHub^® Training Center (located in Kosuge Village, Yamanashi Prefecture; hereinafter “SkyHub® TC”), a professional human resource development program specializing in logistics drone operations.

This initiative aims to accelerate the widespread adoption of New Smart Logistics SkyHub^®, a drone-based solution designed to address regional logistics challenges.

Leveraging more than 4,000 cumulative drone logistics flight operations in Japan and overseas, NEXT DELIVERY has taken on pioneering initiatives to advance the social implementation of drone logistics. These include engagement in regulatory reforms under Japan’s Civil Aeronautics Act and Japan’s first demonstration flights under Level 3.5 operations in DID (Densely Inhabited Districts) areas in Wakayama City.

Based on this extensive expertise, NEXT DELIVERY will begin offering a practical drone logistics training program from January 2026 for companies seeking to expand logistics infrastructure from ground to air, as well as businesses considering entry into the drone logistics field.

Applications will open on November 18, 2025.

NEXT DELIVERY provides *New Smart Logistics SkyHub®¹, a next-generation logistics infrastructure that contributes to regional logistics by optimizing operations through parcel aggregation, combining drone logistics with existing transportation methods, and enabling consolidated delivery across multiple logistics providers.

Beyond establishing logistics hubs at nine locations nationwide, SkyHub® has also gained strong interest and support from municipalities as a “phase-free” infrastructure that can be utilized both in everyday operations and during emergencies such as natural disasters.

Amid growing attention to Japan’s so-called “2024 logistics issue”, rural areas are facing challenges including the withdrawal of logistics operators and acute labor shortages, resulting in delivery delays.

One effective approach to solving these issues is the introduction of sustainable logistics methods—such as replacing inefficient ground routes with drones—alongside the development of highly skilled personnel capable of immediate deployment.

The SkyHub^® TC offers a logistics-focused program that consolidates operational expertise gained through more than 4,000 flights conducted in Japan and Mongolia.

It is the only training program in Japan that not only equips participants with the knowledge and skills required for regular drone-based logistics operations, but also supports the establishment of a fully self-sustaining operational framework—from route design and flight authorization applications to safety management.

The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on training using logistics-dedicated drones equipped with 4D GRAVITY^®*², a proprietary airframe structural design technology developed by Aeronext Inc., NEXT DELIVERY’s parent company, along with an integrated flight operation management system.

Distinctive program features include training in Level 3.5 flight applications and DID-area flight authorization, content not available at conventional drone schools.

The curriculum is supervised by Takato Aoki, Director of NEXT DELIVERY and the company’s Chief Operation Manager (Japan’s first certified Class 1 Unmanned Aircraft Pilot), with instruction delivered by highly experienced professional pilots.

Practical Experience in Mongolia and Japan

In Mongolia, beginning August 2024, local staff alone have conducted regular medical supply deliveries using logistics-dedicated drones equipped with 4D GRAVITY^®.

In Japan, NEXT DELIVERY has completed more than 50 medical logistics flights in 2024, and 322 flights between May and October 20, 2025, delivering medical supplies such as blood products that require strict temperature and time management.

These initiatives served as a precursor to SkyHub^® TC. NEXT DELIVERY’s experienced operations team conducted intensive on-site training, providing end-to-end education not only in technical skills and knowledge, but also in safety awareness—successfully enabling fully independent local operations.

In Japan, since 2024, NEXT DELIVERY has also begun offering licenses under the SkyHub® Provider License (SPL) program, granting logistics operators access to SkyHub^® know-how, delivery management systems, and selected operational processes.

Starting with Nakatsu Kyuko Co., Ltd. in Oita Prefecture—the first SPL partner contracted in February 2024—and followed by multiple logistics providers such as Ryomo Maruzen Co., Ltd. in Tochigi Prefecture, training programs offered through SkyHub^® TC are already being implemented.

Additionally, at the nine drone logistics hubs nationwide, part-time staff who have completed assistant training programs are actively supporting daily operations, contributing to the expansion of drone logistics across regions.

Target Participants and Vision

The program targets companies aiming to enhance ground transportation efficiency through drone integration, as well as new entrants to the drone logistics sector.

By addressing regional challenges—such as eliminating logistics “blank areas,” enabling emergency disaster relief logistics, and ensuring stable delivery of pharmaceuticals and daily necessities—the program supports businesses working to sustain local communities through drone logistics solutions.

Looking ahead, NEXT DELIVERY plans to expand drone logistics professionals nationwide by building a partner network capable of providing services without regional disparities.

To support the nationwide rollout of SkyHub^® TC, NEXT DELIVERY has partnered with Mobility Navi Inc. (Headquarters: Tsu City, Mie Prefecture; President & CEO: Noriaki Takebayashi) to accelerate talent development and operational support.

Overview: SkyHub^® Training Center (SkyHub^® TC)

◇Application Start Date:   November 18, 2025
(Programs scheduled to begin in January 2026)

◇Target Participants:  Companies seeking to improve delivery efficiency through the use of drones

◇Programs Offered:
・Grand Pilot (GP) Certification Course
・Remote Pilot (RP) Certification Course
(RP certification requires a Class 2 Unmanned Aircraft Pilot License – Visual Line of Sight)

◇Training Content:

Grand Pilot (GP) Certification	Remote Pilot（RP）Certification
・Handling of logistics-dedicated drones ・Airspace communication systems ・Transportation of hazardous materials and pharmaceuticals ・Site surveys for takeoff and landing points ・Emergency and accident response ・Safety management frameworks ・Logistics drone flight training ・GCS operation ・Overview of flight route development	・Level 3.5 flight application procedures ・Route design and construction ・Air risk mitigation ・Remote operation management systems ・Emergency procedures ・Safety Management System (SMS) ・Remote operation exercises ・Overview of DID flight applications ・Overview of hazardous materials transport applications

◇Inquiries:
https://aeronext.co.jp/contact-trainingcenter/

Participant Testimonial

Before the training, I felt anxious about drones, viewing them as dangerous. However, by understanding how drones work and how to handle them safely, my concerns were resolved, and I gained confidence in working as a pilot. Ulaanbaatar suffers from severe traffic congestion, making ground-based transportation extremely challenging. In particular, medical supply deliveries such as blood products are a race against time. Drone logistics, utilizing unobstructed airspace, has proven its effectiveness, supporting 168 emergency responses to date. With proper knowledge and skills, I realized this is a highly meaningful profession that helps people, and I see great potential not only in healthcare but in logistics as a whole.

— Biyambasuren Ochirgerelt, Pilot, Mongolian Smart Drone Delivery Co., Ltd.

Comment from Program Supervisor, Takato Aoki, Director, NEXT DELIVERY(Class 1 Unmanned Aircraft Pilot)

Even after years of working with drones, logistics operations remained particularly challenging. Since beginning full-scale efforts in 2019, we faced numerous obstacles—operational framework development, regulatory coordination with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and ensuring community safety. Reaching over 4,000 flight operations, I came to believe that this accumulated expertise should be shared for the benefit of society, which led to the establishment of the SkyHub® Training Center. Our goal is to enable all who face logistics challenges to enjoy a richer quality of life through drone logistics. This vision can only be realized through collaboration with companies nationwide. We invite you to join us in solving social challenges together through drone logistics.

NEXT DELIVERY aims to build a nationwide, barrier-free aerial logistics network by advancing both the social implementation of drone logistics and the cultivation of skilled professionals through SkyHub^® TC.

Working in alignment with national policies and local government initiatives, NEXT DELIVERY will continue expanding drone logistics as a core component of Japan’s social infrastructure.

 

Appendix

*1  New Logistics SkyHub^®︎
A new smart logistics platform jointly developed and deployed by Aeronext and Seino HD that connects existing land transportation and drone logistics, as well as connecting ground and air infrastructure to deliver goods anytime, anywhere. An open and standardized platform with built-in drone delivery, operating from Drone Depots^®︎ and using cars and drones as delivery vehicles, and SkyHub^®︎ TMS as the base for SkyHub^®︎ Delivery (shopping service), SkyHub^®︎ Eats (food delivery), SkyHub^®︎ Medical (pharmaceutical delivery), as well as joint delivery of packages from different logistics companies in bulk, to develop and provide services tailored to local issues and needs. The introduction of SkyHub^® not only has the logistics benefits of promoting unmanned and inventory-free operations and improving last mile delivery efficiency, but also introduces a new logistics infrastructure. Where the logistics industry facing the “2024 Logistics Problem,” SkyHub^® will contribute to solving social issues in the region, such as transportation problems in specific depopulated areas, medical problems, disaster countermeasures, and measures for the vulnerable in logistics, SkyHub^® will also contribute to address regional issues such as traffic problems in specific depopulated areas, medical problems, disaster countermeasures, and measures for the vulnerable in logistics, as well as raise the level of satisfaction of residents and communities by improving convenience and quality of life.

*2 4D GRAVITY^® Airframe Structural Design Technology
4D GRAVITY^® is Aeronext’s proprietary airframe structural design technology that optimizes aerodynamic performance by equalizing motor rotation regardless of flight attitude or motion, and by controlling lift, drag, and the center of gravity based on airframe shape and structure. This improves basic drone performance—such as stability, efficiency, and maneuverability—and enhances the transport capability of logistics drones. Aeronext manages this patented technology as part of its 4D GRAVITY^® Patent Portfolio. By elevating fundamental performance, 4D GRAVITY^® also expands the potential applications and markets for industrial drones.

【About NEXT DELIVERY Inc.】
4DNEXT DELIVERY is Aeronext’s strategic subsidiary established in 2021 in Kosuge Village, Yamanashi Prefecture, based on the group mission of “Building a new social infrastructure for the 100-year life era, ensuring prosperity reaches every corner of society.” As the core operator of drone delivery, NEXT DELIVERY plans, operates, and expands SkyHub^®, a new smart logistics platform jointly developed by Aeronext and Seino Holdings that integrates existing logistics with drone delivery. The company also develops, sells, operates, and maintains hardware and software for combined-ground-and-drone logistics. Starting from Kosuge Village, operations now extend to Kamishihoro Town (Hokkaido), Tsuruga City (Fukui), and other regions to improve logistics efficiency and solve community challenges.
*Company profile: https://aeronext.co.jp/company/

*Aeronext and the Aeronext logo, NEXT DELIVERY, “4D GRAVITY^®“, and “SkyHub^®” are trademarks of Aeronext Inc.

*Other company and product names mentioned in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.