Flying taxi firm Joby applies for aircraft certification in the UAE

Image credit: David Paul Morris/ Getty Images

Joby Aviation said on Tuesday it had applied for a certificate that will allow it to operate commercial air transport in the UAE, as the flying taxi firm aims to start operations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as early as 2025.

“The Letter of Intent for the operator certificate application from Joby marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s journey towards becoming a global leader in eVTOL operations,” said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority.

“Our readiness to support these advanced technologies underscores our commitment to fostering advanced air mobility solutions that will shape the future of transportation in the UAE and beyond.”

The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft maker signed an agreement with the Roads and Transport Authority in February to launch an all-electric air taxi service in Dubai.

US-based Joby also signed a multilateral MoU with Abu Dhabi government entities, including the Department of Municipalities and Transport – Abu Dhabi and Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), paving the way for the eVTOL firm to establish and scale up operations in the UAE.

The company said it will follow a five-stage certification process that includes developing air taxi operating manuals, undergoing inspections of its UAE-based facilities, and completing the observation of pilot and aircraft mechanic training and flight operations by the UAE’s civil aviation authority.

The Santa Cruz, California-based Joby received the US Federal Aviation Administration’s greenlight to conduct test flying taxis coming off its production line in June 2023; previously, it could only demo a prototype made by hand.

Joby’s S4 Aerial taxi is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 322km (200 miles) per hour. The aircraft can cover a journey from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in 30 minutes compared to around two hours by car during rush hour.

Meanwhile, other players in the eVTOL space, including Archer Aviation, have signed multi-million dollar framework agreements to accelerate planned commercial air taxi operations in the UAE.

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