Joby Advances Dubai’s Air Taxi Vision with Landmark Flight and New Vertiport Network Expansion
Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE: JOBY), a leading developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for commercial passenger service, announced a major advancement in the rollout of Dubai’s air taxi ecosystem. In close collaboration with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Skyports Infrastructure, Joby revealed the next three planned vertiport locations that will be integrated into the Emirate’s electric air taxi network. These vertiports—positioned at the American University of Dubai, Atlantis The Royal, and the Dubai Mall—represent key additions to the city’s rapidly evolving air mobility infrastructure and serve as crucial nodes in Joby’s exclusive six-year agreement with the RTA to launch and operate electric air taxi services across Dubai.
This announcement aligns with Joby’s continued momentum in the region and follows what has become a historic achievement for the global eVTOL industry. Joby successfully executed a groundbreaking point-to-point flight in the United Arab Emirates, becoming the first electric air taxi company to complete such a mission in the country. On 9 November, Joby’s aircraft completed a fully piloted 17-minute trip from the company’s test facility in Margham to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). The successful operation in shared airspace underscores the maturity and readiness of Joby’s aircraft technology as the company moves toward commercial service deployment.
During this week’s Dubai Airshow, tens of thousands of visitors will witness Joby’s aircraft demonstrating its capabilities through planned flights each day of the event. These demonstrations are expected to generate significant interest from government officials, aviation industry stakeholders, and the general public, further solidifying Dubai’s leadership role in advancing the future of air mobility.
A Major Step Forward for Dubai’s Aerial Mobility Ambitions
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, emphasized the significance of Joby’s milestone flight for Dubai’s broader innovation agenda. He noted that the successful completion of the first crewed electric air taxi flight between two separate geographic locations marks an important turning point for the Emirate.
According to His Excellency, the achievement validates the strength and robustness of the RTA’s operational models and regulatory frameworks, which are being developed to support a safe, integrated, and efficient advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystem. “This milestone,” he stated, “signals the beginning of a new era in Dubai’s journey toward becoming a global leader in smart mobility. It reinforces confidence among our international partners and strengthens Dubai’s standing as a leading global platform for next-generation mobility technologies.”
He further reiterated that the RTA continues to make meaningful progress toward the commercial launch of the aerial taxi service in 2026. With continuing investments in infrastructure, regulatory guidelines, and multi-stakeholder partnerships, Dubai is positioning itself as a model city for the seamless integration of high-tech, sustainable, and future-focused transport systems.
Joby’s Progress Toward Commercial Service in Dubai
JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, highlighted the strong collaborative environment that has enabled progress at unparalleled speed. He commented:
“From flight demonstrations to vertiport infrastructure, we are achieving tremendous momentum as we prepare for commercial passenger service in Dubai next year. The level of support and cooperation from the RTA, various government entities, and our infrastructure partners has allowed us to accelerate development and create what will soon become the world’s first fully operational air taxi service.”
Bevirt stressed that the partnership between Joby, Dubai authorities, and infrastructure providers has become a blueprint for how advanced air mobility can be implemented globally. The integration of infrastructure, aircraft readiness, and regulatory approvals is converging in Dubai faster than in any other market worldwide. This early cohesion has paved the way for smoother testing, faster certification work, and a clear path to market entry.
Strategic Vertiport Locations Across Dubai
The newly announced vertiport sites reflect Dubai’s strategy of aligning air mobility with major commercial, tourism, and residential districts. Joby’s ability to offer rapid, emissions-free travel between these locations is expected to redefine mobility in the Emirate.
The American University of Dubai (AUD)
Positioned at the gateway of Dubai Marina—which is among the city’s most vibrant districts—AUD’s vertiport will serve students, residents, corporate professionals, and tourists. Given its proximity to Internet City, Media City, and Knowledge Park, this vertiport is expected to be a high-demand hub for business and academic commuters.
Atlantis The Royal
Located on Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis The Royal is one of Dubai’s most iconic luxury resorts. The vertiport here provides direct connectivity to one of the region’s most desirable leisure destinations, known for its world-class dining, high-end accommodations, and spectacular beachfront settings. This site is expected to serve tourists seeking swift and premium mobility across the city.
Dubai Mall
One of the largest and most visited retail complexes in the world, Dubai Mall attracted nearly 111 million visitors in 2024. With attractions such as the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain nearby, the vertiport at Dubai Mall is set to become one of the central pillars of the air taxi network. The location’s immense footfall, tourism density, and strategic significance to the city’s economic and cultural identity make it an essential component of the initial network rollout.
These new vertiports join the already planned location at Dubai International Airport (DXB), which is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2026. The combination of airport access and high-traffic urban hubs forms the foundation of Joby’s initial operational network, which is designed to offer fast, sustainable, and cost-efficient travel between key nodes across Dubai.
Pioneering the Future of Urban Transportation
As Joby prepares for its commercial launch in 2026, Dubai continues to showcase an ambitious vision for urban transportation. The city’s commitment to sustainability aligns closely with the principles driving the global shift toward electric aviation. Joby’s aircraft, offering rapid point-to-point travel with minimal noise and zero operational emissions, is expected to significantly reduce congestion and enhance mobility experience for residents and visitors.
Dubai’s approach integrates forward-thinking policy design, investments in physical infrastructure, and collaboration with best-in-class aviation innovators like Joby. This ensures that the city remains at the forefront of global mobility innovation. For Joby, Dubai serves as an ideal launch market—one that embraces technological progress and seeks to continuously improve transportation efficiency and environmental stewardship.
The next two years will see continued development of vertiports, testing of operational systems, passenger experience planning, stakeholder engagement, and further pilot demonstrations. As each milestone is achieved, Dubai’s vision of a fully integrated electric air taxi network comes closer to reality.
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