eVTOL developer Joby made several key advances at Dubai Airshow this week, as the company edges closer to commercial operation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Joby completed its first crewed point-to-point flight in the country on 16 November, travelling for 17 minutes from Dubai Jetman Helipad to Al Maktoum International Airport. The company used the Airshow as a platform to announce three new vertiports in strategic locations across Dubai. The American University, Atlantis hotel, and Dubai Mall will be added to Dubai International Airport (DXB) as take-off and landing points for Joby’s air taxis.
The DXB site is currently 60% complete, according to Joby, as the company plans for commercial air taxi flights to begin as soon as 2026. Journey times from DXB to Palm Jumeirah could be slashed from 45 to 10 minutes through the nascent eVTOL service.
Carrying a pilot and four passengers, Joby’s aircraft is one of the most advanced in the eVTOL race. Alongside its Dubai testing, the company seeks certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and has signed a partnership agreement with Delta Air Lines. A Memorandum of Understanding with Red Sea Global (RSG) and The Helicopter Company (THG), announced 19 November, also advances sandbox eVTOL testing in Saudi Arabia.
While other eVTOL businesses including Archer and Eve have made significant advances in the technology, Joby’s partnership with the UAE could see Dubai become the first city to launch air taxis. With committed vertiport and government partners, Joby’s goal of taking flight with paying passengers in 2026 isn’t as unrealistic as it may seem. Which city will be the next to follow suit?
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