Joby Aviation has officially begun the process of becoming the first certified electric air taxi operator in the UAE. During the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) inaugural Advanced Air Mobility Summit in Montreal, Canada, Joby Aviation’s founder and CEO, JoeBen Bevirt, met with Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), to present a Letter of Intent. This marked the company’s formal initiation of its application for an Air Operator Certificate, essential for commercial air transport in the UAE.
Earlier in 2024, Joby solidified its presence in the UAE by signing a definitive agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch air taxi services, a move that positions Dubai at the forefront of clean and fast air mobility. Additionally, in April 2024, Joby further strengthened its partnerships by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with several Abu Dhabi entities, laying the foundation for air taxi services in the capital.
Bevirt commented: “There is incredible momentum behind the adoption of clean flight across the UAE, and 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 using our revolutionary aircraft.”
Saif Al Suwaidi of the GCAA added: “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.”
Joby’s electric air taxis, designed to carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 200mph, promise to significantly reduce travel time within Dubai, with a trip from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah taking just 10 minutes compared to 45 minutes by car.
