Joby advances eVTOL certification in UAE
US-based electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer Joby Aviation (Joby) is making notable progress towards becoming a certified air taxi operator in the United Arab Emirates.
At the inaugural Advanced Air Mobility Symposium, organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada, JoeBen Bevirt, Joby’s founder and CEO, presented a letter of intent (LoI) to the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to initiate the process for Joby’s air operator certification in the country.
The letter outlines a five-stage application process, during which Joby will develop comprehensive air taxi operating manuals, undergo inspections of its UAE-based facilities, and meet GCAA requirements for training pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians, as well as flight operations.
In May 2022, Joby successfully completed a similar process to obtain its US Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Over the past two years, the company has operated traditional aircraft in the US, using this experience to refine various aspects of its planned air taxi services with the support of its proprietary ElevateOS software system.
Strategic UAE partnerships
In February 2024, Joby signed a definitive agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), securing exclusive rights to operate air taxi services in the Emirate.
By April 2024, the company expanded its footprint in the UAE through a multilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), the Department of Economic Development (DED), and the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), laying the foundation for establishing and scaling air taxi services in Abu Dhabi and beyond.
Commenting on these developments, Bevirt said, “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.”
H.E. Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the UAE GCAA, highlighted the significance of this milestone: “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.”
He added, “We are excited to work closely with Joby Aviation to ensure the highest standards of safety and efficiency as we advance towards the realisation of commercial eVTOL operations in our skies.”
Joby’s aircraft is designed to accommodate a pilot and four passengers, reaching speeds of up to 200 miles per hour.
The company anticipates that a journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah will take just 10 minutes, compared to 45 minutes by car.