Dubai: Joby Aviation, a company developing all-electric aircraft for commercial passenger service, has signed an agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch air taxi services in the Emirate by early 2026.

The agreement, signed at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, gives Joby the exclusive right to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years, and will position Dubai as a world leader in delivering the fast, clean and quiet air travel enabled by Joby’s revolutionary technology.

Joby’s aircraft, which was displayed in the region for the first time at the summit, can carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, and will be operated by the company. A journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah will take just 10 minutes compared with 45 minutes by car.

Joby also signed an agreement with Skyports, who will design, build and operate four initial vertiport sites across Dubai, including Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Dubai Downtown.

Joby and the RTA have been working closely with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the UAE to ensure there is a regulatory route to support the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, of being a world leader in the introduction of air taxis.

Joby has established a local operating entity and intends to recruit locally for the majority of its operational team. The company will also consider localization of other global business activities in Dubai and across the region.

Joby is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and has raised more than $2 billion of funding to date, including investments from Toyota, Delta Air Lines, SK Telecom, Uber and Baillie Gifford. In November 2023, Joby’s aircraft became the first electric air taxi to fly in New York City.

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