Joby Aviation, a pioneer in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has partnered with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to bring air taxi services to the Emirate by early 2026, with initial operations potentially starting as early as 2025. This landmark agreement positions Dubai as a global leader in adopting this revolutionary clean and quiet air travel technology.
The agreement, signed in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE’s Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, grants Joby exclusive rights to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years. It also secures financial and other support from the RTA, facilitating the launch and maturation of the service.
Skyports, a leading vertiport developer, will design, build, and operate the initial four vertiport sites across Dubai, strategically located at Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Dubai Downtown.
Joby’s eVTOL aircraft, unveiled in the region for the first time, can carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds up to 200 miles per hour. Operated by the company, it will significantly reduce travel time – a journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah taking only 10 minutes compared to 45 minutes by car.
Joby and the RTA have actively collaborated with the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to establish a regulatory framework that adheres to FAA standards, ensures safety, and supports His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s vision of Dubai becoming a global leader in air taxi implementation.
Moving forward, RTA, Joby, and Skyports will focus on customer experience design, stakeholder engagement, and integrating Joby’s service into Dubai’s public transport network. To support local operations, Joby has established a Dubai entity and plans to recruit locally for most of its operational team.
This agreement follows Joby’s recent milestones, including becoming the first electric air taxi to fly in New York City, launching production at its California facility, and delivering an eVTOL aircraft to the U.S. Department of Defense. The company, backed by renowned investors like Toyota, Delta Air Lines, and Uber, has raised over $2 billion in funding.
