An agreement between Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA), Skyports and Joby gives the former exclusive rights to build and operate vertiports in Dubai, and the latter the exclusive right to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years.
The partnership could see services start as early as next year, making Dubai the first place to host a commercial, city-wide electric air taxi service.
Under the agreement with Dubai’s RTA, Joby will manufacture, certify and operate eVTOL air taxis in Dubai. Skyports will design, construct, own and operate the vertiports used by Joby’s eVTOLs across the Emirate, while RTA will oversee and regulate the air taxi service.
Joby’s five-seat battery-electric eVTOL aircraft can carry four passengers at speeds of up to 200mph (320km/h), and has a range of 150 miles (240 km). The California, USA-based company started piloted flight tests in October 2023.
Joby is one of the furthest forward eVTOL aircraft developers, with the company’s aircraft being certified in the USA under regulator FAA’s Part 21-17B.
The first Joby eVTOL aircraft are being built in Marina, California, which is increasing production capacity from 4 to up to 50 aircraft a year. The firm is also building a larger factory in Dayton, Ohio capable of manufacturing up to 500 aircraft a year that is expected to open in 2025.
Joby has established a company in Dubai and plans to recruit locally for its operational team. The company will also consider localization of other global business activities in Dubai and across the region.
JoeBen Bevirt, CEO and founder, Joby Aviation said, “Today’s landmark agreement delivers on all three ingredients required to successfully launch an air taxi service – a definitive path to operations, well-placed infrastructure supported by dedicated partners, and an aircraft with the capacity and range to deliver meaningful journeys.
