Joby to Launch Air Taxi Service in UAE

March 04, 2024

eVTOL maker Joby Aviation, Inc. has announced a definitive agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch air taxi services in Dubai by early 2026. Joby aims to begin operations as early as 2025.

The agreement was signed at the World Governments Summit in Dubai and grants Joby the exclusive right to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years. The RTA will provide various forms of support, including financial mechanisms, to facilitate the entry and maturing of service operations in Dubai.

Joby’s aircraft, displayed for the first time in the region at the World Governments Summit, is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. The company will operate the aircraft, with a journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah expected to take just 10 minutes compared to 45 minutes by car. Joby and the RTA have been working closely with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the UAE to ensure a regulatory route to support the introduction of air taxis.

In addition to the agreement with the RTA, Joby has also signed an agreement with Skyports, who will design, build, and operate four initial vertiport sites across Dubai. The launch locations for Dubai’s air taxi service have been identified as Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Dubai Downtown.

Joby has established a local operating entity and plans to recruit locally for the majority of its operational team. The company is also considering the localization of other global business activities in Dubai and across the region. Joby recently announced its participation in the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster established by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), as part of exploring broader operations across the UAE.