Joby Aviation’s Ambitious Move
Joby Aviation, Inc. has officially applied to become the first certified air taxi operator in the UAE. The announcement was made on Tuesday, coinciding with the inaugural Advanced Air Mobility Summit in Montreal, Canada, organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Joby’s CEO, JoeBen Bevirt, met with Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, GCAA Director General, to submit the application.
Detailed Application Process
Joby’s application follows a comprehensive five-stage process required by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). This process includes preparing air taxi operating manuals, undergoing facility inspections, and completing GCAA evaluations of pilot and aircraft mechanic training and flight operations. Joby previously navigated a similar certification process to obtain its US Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration in May 2022.
Revolutionizing Urban Mobility
Joby’s electric air taxi, designed to carry a pilot and four passengers, boasts speeds up to 200 miles per hour. This technology could cut the travel time from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah from 45 minutes by car to just 10 minutes by air taxi. Bevirt highlighted the momentum behind clean flight adoption in the UAE, noting that Joby aims to establish one of the world’s first electric air taxi networks, offering fast, clean, and quiet journeys.
Strategic Partnerships and Future Prospects
Earlier this year, Joby signed a definitive agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch air taxi services. In April, the company also secured a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding with several Abu Dhabi departments, including the Department of Municipalities and Transport, the Department of Economic Development, and the Department of Culture and Tourism.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Archer Aviation, another US-based company, has already conducted over 400 test flights of its ‘Midnight’ model and aims to launch air taxi services next year. Air taxi services are anticipated to become available in the UAE by 2025, marking a significant milestone in the region’s commitment to advanced air mobility solutions.