Joby Aviation, Inc., the US-based pioneer in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology, has applied to become the first certified air taxi operator in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The announcement was made on Tuesday during the inaugural Advanced Air Mobility Summit organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada.
The application for the air operator certificate, a crucial requirement from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), marks a significant step for Joby Aviation. The company’s founder and CEO, JoeBen Bevirt, met with Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, GCAA Director General, to formally submit the application.
The certification process will involve a rigorous five-stage evaluation, including the completion of air taxi operating manuals and inspections of Joby’s UAE-based facilities.
Additionally, the GCAA will observe Joby’s pilot and aircraft mechanic training, as well as flight operations. This process mirrors Joby’s successful attainment of the US Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration in May 2022.
Bevirt highlighted the transformative potential of Joby’s electric air taxi, which is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds up to 200 miles per hour.
This innovation promises to significantly reduce travel time within Dubai. For example, a trip from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah, typically a 45-minute car journey, could be completed in just 10 minutes using the air taxi.
“There is incredible momentum behind the adoption of clean flight across the UAE. We’re excited to be working with a wide range of partners, including the GCAA, to lay the groundwork for one of the world’s first electric air taxi networks – delivering fast, clean, and quiet journeys,” Bevirt said.
In February, Joby Aviation solidified its commitment to Dubai by signing a definitive agreement with the city’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch air taxi services.
This was followed by a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in April with key Abu Dhabi entities: the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), the Department of Economic Development (DED), and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
GCAA Director General Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi described Joby’s application as a pivotal moment in the UAE’s ambition to lead in eVTOL operations.
“The letter of intent for the operator certificate application from Joby Aviation marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s journey towards becoming a global leader in eVTOL operations. Our readiness to support these advanced technologies underscores our commitment to fostering advanced air mobility solutions that will be part of the future of transportation in the UAE and beyond,” Suwaidi noted.
Meanwhile, Archer Aviation, another US-based air transport company, is also making strides in the field.
Archer has conducted over 400 test flights of its eVTOL aircraft, ‘Midnight,’ in preparation for its planned launch next year. The company achieved this milestone four months ahead of schedule, exceeding its target of 400 tests for 2024.
With air taxi services anticipated to debut in the UAE by 2025, Joby Aviation’s move represents a significant leap towards revolutionizing urban transportation in the region, setting a benchmark for future developments in advanced air mobility.