Joby Aviation Inc. anticipates launching its airborne taxi service in Dubai prior to any other location, including the US, where the startup is based.
Joby’s head of operations, Bonny Simi, stated in an interview that the Gulf emirate cooperation project, which was first announced earlier this year, is “a bit more advanced in the approach that they’re taking” than in other countries. “So we’ll be able to launch in Dubai first.”
In February, Joby stated that its goals were to launch its electric air taxi services by 2025 in Dubai, where it had secured a six-year exclusivity contract, and to begin offering commercial services by the beginning of 2026. According to Simi, the milestone might possibly be accomplished as soon as late 2025.
In order to “remove as many roadblocks as possible for us to move as quickly as possible and as safely as possible,” Simi stated that the government of Dubai has offered financial support and that regulators have committed resources specifically to Joby. Financially, the funding will “de-risk that initial launch for us,” the speaker stated.
For its electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, Joby first intends to build four vertiports throughout Dubai, according to Simi. The launch locations include the city’s marina, the artificial island of Palm Jumeirah, downtown Dubai next to the Burj Khalifa skyscraper, and Dubai International Airport, a major international airport.
Rival Archer Aviation Inc., aiming to begin manufacturing and providing services by 2026, and the government of neighboring Abu Dhabi inked a preliminary agreement last year. Joby will be the only airline operating within Dubai, although Archer intends to run flights throughout the United Arab Emirates as well as between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The oil-rich Gulf states have attracted other eVTOL market hopefuls as well. Agreements have been inked in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, or both by Lilium NV, Eve Air Mobility of Embraer SA, and Volocopter GmbH.
