DRIFTx: Abu Dhabi, Joby partner to set up, scale electric air taxi ecosystem

Image: Joby Aviation

Joby Aviation, a company that develops all-electric aircraft for commercial passenger service, has inked a strategic partnership with key governmental entities in Abu Dhabi.

The multilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Joby Aviation and the Department of Municipalities and Transport – Abu Dhabi (DMT), the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) paves the way for Joby to establish and scale air taxi services not only in Abu Dhabi but also beyond.

Joby is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and has raised more than $2bn in funding so far, including investments from Toyota, Delta Air Lines, SK Telecom, Uber and Baillie Gifford.

Last year, in November, Joby’s aircraft became the first electric air taxi to fly in New York City.

In February, the company wrapped up the third of five stages required to receive type certification for its aircraft from the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Joby’s aircraft was also on display for the first time in Abu Dhabi at the DRIFTx event in Yas Marina.  The craft can carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of around 200 miles per hour (321 km/h) with zero operating emissions and a low acoustic footprint.

Its maximum range of 100 miles (161 km) would enable fast and clean air travel both within Abu Dhabi and across the wider UAE, with a journey from Abu Dhabi to Dubai taking around 30 minutes compared with around two hours by car during rush hour.

Joby and Abu Dhabi entities to work to build seamless connectivity between emirates

The MoU inked at DRIFTx reflects the immense support Joby received for being part of the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster.

Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, chairman of DMT, hailed the partnership as a leap forward in advancing advanced mobility solutions. “Through the emirate’s SAVI cluster and this visionary partnership with Joby, we are not only laying the foundation for cutting-edge air taxi services but also shaping the future of transportation; igniting a journey where the sky is no longer the limit, but the beginning of endless possibilities.”

The partnership builds upon Joby’s existing commitments to the UAE, including the exclusive right to operate air taxi services in Dubai, anticipated to commence as early as next year.

Moreover, the agreement opens up opportunities for inter-emirate air taxi services between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The company and UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) have also been working closely to advance the introduction of air taxis.

“We’re looking forward to delivering a fantastic experience for our future customers in Abu Dhabi and we’re excited to be unlocking the potential for zero-emissions flight between Abu Dhabi and Dubai,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation.

Prioritising safety and efficiency, the GCAA regulatory framework builds upon FAA standards with additional company testing and analysis complemented by stringent regulator oversight and review processes to commence early operations.

Agreement aligns with tourism objectives

The partnership also aligns with the Tourism Strategy 2030, as highlighted by Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi. “The introduction of scale air taxi services marks a significant addition, enhancing accessibility to natural attractions, tourist hotspots, and architectural landmarks, thereby elevating overall visitor experiences,” he said.

In related news, the UAE’s first operational vertiport for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) also debuted at DRIFTx.

The initiative is credited to the efforts of Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), GCAA, and Abu Dhabi Mobility (AD Mobility), an affiliate of DMT.

Read: Abu Dhabi unveils first operational vertiport for eVTOLs