First in the UAE 

Joby Aviation, a US-based company, has applied to become the UAE's first certified air taxi operator. The application was submitted during the Advanced Air Mobility Summit in Montreal, Canada. The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) requires the air operator certificate for commercial air transport operations.

Joby Aviation’s CEO met with GCAA's Director General, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, to initiate the five-stage certification process. Joby's electric air taxis can carry a pilot and four passengers at up to 200 mph speeds, cutting travel time between Dubai International Airport and Palm Jumeirah to just 10 minutes.

Partnerships and Progress 

Joby has partnered with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and signed agreements with key Abu Dhabi authorities to lay the foundation for an electric air taxi network in the UAE.

Air taxi services are expected to launch in the UAE by 2025. Meanwhile, Archer Aviation, another US company, has completed over 400 test flights in preparation for its 2024 launch.