Joby Aviation, a company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, confirmed that it has taken the first step towards becoming a certified air taxi operator in the United Arab Emirates.
At the first Advanced Air Mobility Summit organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization in Montreal, Canada, JoeBen Bevirt, the founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, held a meeting with His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, the Director General of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). During the meeting, Bevirt presented Joby's Letter of Intent to kick off the process of applying for Joby's Air Operator Certificate.
In February 2024, Joby finalized an agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to introduce air taxi services in the Emirate of Dubai, establishing the city as a global pioneer in advanced, efficient, and silent air transportation.
In April 2024, Joby broadened its collaboration with the UAE by signing a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Municipalities and Transport - Abu Dhabi (DMT), the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (DED), and the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). This agreement sets the stage for Joby to introduce and expand air taxi services in Abu Dhabi and other locations.
"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." said JoeBen Bevirt
"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." H.E Saif Al Suwaidi said, "We are excited to work closely with Joby Aviation to ensure the highest standards of safety and efficiency as we advance towards the realization of commercial EVTOL operations in our skies."
The GCAA mandates the possession of an Air Operator Certificate for conducting commercial air transport operations in the UAE. Joby will undergo a comprehensive five-stage application procedure, during which the Company will create a complete set of air taxi operating manuals, have its UAE facilities inspected, and undergo GCAA assessments of pilot and aircraft mechanic training, as well as flight operations.
In May 2022, Joby successfully went through a comparable procedure to obtain its U.S. Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. The company has been flying conventional aircraft in the U.S. for over two years, enhancing various aspects of its planned air taxi services by utilizing its exclusive ElevateOS software system.
Joby's electric air taxi is specifically crafted to accommodate a pilot and four passengers, reaching speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. The trip from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah, usually a 45-minute car ride, is projected to be completed in just 10 minutes.
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