Joby Aviation, a leading eVTOL developer, has recently secured exclusive air taxi rights in Dubai, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey towards commercial operations. The agreement, signed with the government of Dubai at the World Governments Summit, grants Joby the exclusive right to operate air taxis in the city for a period of six years, starting from 2026.
This news comes as competition in the eVTOL industry intensifies, with various companies vying to be the first to launch full-scale air taxi operations worldwide. Joby Aviation has emerged as a frontrunner in this race, with impressive progress and achievements thus far. In October 2023, the company successfully completed its first flight with a pilot onboard, followed by a demonstration in New York City. These milestones have paved the way for Joby’s anticipated air taxi operations, set to commence in 2025.
Joby’s success can be attributed to its substantial funding, including a recent California Advanced Air Mobility grant, as well as its strategic partnerships and collaborations. The company has already secured a location for eVTOL production in the United States, with operations poised to take off. Now, Joby is expanding its reach globally, starting with Dubai.
The definitive agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) outlines Joby’s plans for initial eVTOL operations in 2025, followed by the launch of commercial air taxi services in the Emirate by 2026. This exclusive deal gives Joby a competitive advantage over other eVTOL operators in the region, such as Archer Aviation, who will now have to focus on different parts of the Middle Eastern country.
Joby’s founder and CEO, JoeBen Bevirt, expressed his excitement about the partnership with the government of Dubai and the opportunity to showcase sustainable air travel to the world. He emphasized that the agreement fulfills all the necessary requirements for a successful air taxi service, including a clear path to operations, well-established infrastructure, and an aircraft capable of delivering meaningful journeys.
As part of the agreement, Joby has also partnered with Skyports, who will be responsible for designing, building, and operating four vertiport sites in Dubai. These vertiports will be located at strategic locations, including the Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Downtown. The route map provided by Joby highlights the areas that will be covered by their air taxi operations.
Joby’s eVTOL aircraft can accommodate four passengers and a pilot, reaching speeds of up to 200 mph. This allows for significant time savings, with routes that would typically take 45 minutes by car reduced to a mere 10-minute journey. Residents of Dubai will have the convenience of purchasing air taxi tickets directly from their phones, boarding at vertiports, and taking to the skies.
To give potential passengers a glimpse into the future of air taxi rides in Dubai, Joby Aviation has released a launch video that simulates the entire process. The video showcases the seamless experience of booking a ticket, arriving at a vertiport, and embarking on a swift and efficient air taxi journey.
With Joby Aviation securing exclusive air taxi rights in Dubai and setting its sights on global expansion, the eVTOL industry is witnessing significant progress towards making air taxis a reality. As more companies like Joby continue to make strides in this field, we can expect to see transformative changes in urban mobility and transportation in the years to come.