In the near future, the fortunate residents and visitors of Dubai will have the opportunity to experience emission-free flights on an advanced eVTOL aircraft. For example, a journey from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Palm Jumeirah will only take ten minutes, significantly less time compared to the 45-minute car ride, while also benefiting from zero emissions.
This marks just the beginning of Joby’s venture in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Californian company has obtained the exclusive rights to operate electric air taxis in Dubai through a definitive agreement with the local Road and Transport Authority (RTA). Joby will maintain this exclusivity for a remarkable six years, which is particularly significant as it will be the initial period of commercial operations for any air taxi in Dubai, positioning Joby as a pioneer in this field.
Playing a crucial role in this ambitious project is infrastructure expert Skyports. They will be responsible for designing and constructing the first vertiports in Dubai from scratch, as well as managing their operations. The initial phase will focus on the establishment of four vertiports. In collaboration with the RTA and Joby, Skyports has carefully selected the launch locations for these initial vertiports at DXB, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, and Dubai Marina.
While most eVTOL manufacturers have secured orders for their aircraft from various aviation industry players worldwide, Joby’s agreement stands out due to its unique partnership with the local authorities. This collaborative effort entails substantial support from Dubai’s RTA, both in terms of financial backing and operational assistance. It will also enable Joby to expand its presence in the region. The eVTOL manufacturer has already established a local operational branch and intends to recruit most of its new operational team locally.
This exclusive agreement in Dubai marks yet another significant achievement for Joby, a company that has consistently pioneered the industry in the United States. It is closely linked to the installation of the first electric aircraft chargers in Southern California and the inaugural flights of an electric air taxi in New York City.
The historic flight in New York took place in November 2023, when a Joby aircraft took off from the Manhattan heliport. This served as a preview of what New Yorkers can expect in the coming year, as they will soon have access to air taxi flights to and from airports, thanks to the collaboration between Joby and Delta.
Returning to Dubai, the commencement of air taxi operations is scheduled for as early as next year, with full commercial service expected by 2026.
According to the Source autoevolution.com