Joby Aviation Strengthens Presence in Middle East With New Agreement to Begin Pre-Commercial Air Taxi Flights in Saudi Arabia by 2026
Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE: JOBY), a pioneer in the development of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for commercial passenger transport, has announced a major step toward introducing its air taxi services in Saudi Arabia. The company revealed that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Red Sea Global (RSG) and The Helicopter Company (THC), two of Saudi Arabia’s most influential players in mobility and tourism. This agreement outlines Joby’s plan to conduct pre-commercial demonstration flights in the Kingdom during the first half of 2026, marking an important milestone in the region’s transition toward next-generation clean aviation technologies.
Building a New Era of Air Mobility in the Kingdom
The agreement brings together three organizations with complementary strengths. Joby contributes its cutting-edge eVTOL aircraft and air mobility expertise. Red Sea Global, the developer of flagship regenerative tourism destinations such as The Red Sea and AMAALA, brings deep experience in sustainable development, infrastructure design, and luxury guest experiences. Meanwhile, THC, a company owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and recognized as Saudi Arabia’s premier commercial helicopter operator, provides operational insight, aviation experience, and extensive knowledge of the Kingdom’s mobility landscape.
Together, the three companies will establish a dedicated “sandbox” environment for testing and evaluating electric air taxi operations. This sandbox will act as a controlled proving ground where Joby can conduct flights that simulate real-world conditions, including aircraft charging, airspace integration, passenger operations, landing and takeoff procedures, and communication protocols between ground and air teams. This structured approach will enable the partners to assess the operational, technical, and regulatory requirements necessary to bring commercial electric air taxi services to the Kingdom in the coming years.
Joby has already gained experience flying its aircraft in the region. Earlier this year, the company successfully completed a series of test flights in the United Arab Emirates, providing valuable insights that will directly support the upcoming Saudi Arabia program.
Red Sea Global Highlights Commitment to Sustainable Mobility
John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global, emphasized that this partnership represents a significant step in redefining how sustainability and innovation can be integrated into modern tourism. He noted that RSG’s mission is to raise global standards for environmentally responsible travel while showcasing the natural beauty of Saudi Arabia’s western coastline.
He stated that the introduction of eVTOL aircraft could radically enhance guest mobility within RSG’s destinations, offering travelers a cleaner, quieter, and more efficient way to explore landscapes that span deserts, islands, marine reserves, and cultural heritage sites. The use of electric aircraft aligns with RSG’s long-term goal of creating low-impact mobility systems that support regenerative tourism—a model that seeks not only to reduce environmental harm but to actively improve ecosystems and local communities.
THC Reinforces Saudi Arabia’s Aviation Transformation
Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of The Helicopter Company, highlighted that eVTOL aircraft are rapidly emerging as the future of short-distance urban and inter-urban transportation. As one of the Kingdom’s fastest-growing aviation operators, THC aims to ensure Saudi Arabia remains at the forefront of adopting technologies that expand mobility options while reducing carbon emissions.
He explained that THC views the partnership with Joby and RSG as a strategic opportunity to demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s readiness to lead in advanced air mobility. The collaboration also reflects THC’s confidence in the potential of electric aviation to reshape transportation networks by providing faster, safer, and more sustainable alternatives for passenger travel.
Joby Aviation Continues Middle East Expansion Strategy
JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, noted that Saudi Arabia has demonstrated strong enthusiasm for adopting emerging aviation technologies. He described the Kingdom as an ideal environment for early adoption due to its expanding tourism sector, strong government support, and large-scale development initiatives aligned with Vision 2030.
Bevirt also revealed that the new partnership builds on Joby’s broader expansion strategy in the Middle East and Central Asia. Over the past year, the company has made significant progress establishing relationships with regional regulators and transportation authorities. For example:
- In September, Joby forged a long-term collaboration with the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority and Skyports Infrastructure to develop a full passenger air taxi network in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, with operations targeted for 2027.
- Joby is preparing to begin commercial air taxi flights in Dubai in 2026 under a six-year exclusive agreement, positioning the UAE as one of the first countries in the world with large-scale eVTOL operations.
- In November, Joby signed a letter of intent to sell aircraft and services worth up to $250 million to Alatau Advance Air Group—an initiative aimed at bringing electric air taxis to Kazakhstan.
These partnerships demonstrate how Joby is using a consistent “market playbook”: collaborate with supportive governments, partner with local operators, and work closely with regulators to accelerate the certification and integration of eVTOL aircraft.
A Regulatory Framework Built for the Future
The new MoU comes shortly after Joby’s announcement of a separate collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). That effort focuses on helping GACA develop a regulatory framework for air taxi operations modeled on the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s certification standards.
This regulatory foundation is essential for enabling safe, scalable, commercial eVTOL services and ensuring consistency with global aviation standards.
Positioning Saudi Arabia as a Global Air Mobility Leader
By bringing together world-class aerospace innovators, established aviation operators, and a tourism developer known for sustainability, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a regional—and potentially global—leader in advanced air mobility. The pilot operations planned for 2026 will provide critical data on aircraft performance, passenger experience, environmental impact, and commercial viability, helping shape future deployment models.
If successful, the initiative could lead to a full rollout of commercial electric air taxi services capable of connecting destinations across the Kingdom, reducing travel time dramatically while cutting emissions and enhancing visitor mobility.
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