Joby Outlines Dubai Air Taxi Plans Ahead of FAA Certification

Company says it could begin Dubai passenger flights before obtaining agency type approval.

Jack Daleo

Monday, November 17, 2025 at 11:21 AM ET

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Jack Daleo

Joby Aviation’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) S4 air taxi conducts testing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. [Courtesy: Joby Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Joby Aviation successfully completed its first point-to-point eVTOL flight in the UAE and unveiled new vertiport locations, targeting commercial air taxi operations in Dubai by 2026.
The company is working with the UAE's GCAA on a "qualification program" that could allow passenger flights in Dubai ahead of full FAA type certification in the U.S.
Joby aims for a parallel certification process, where testing in the UAE (e.g., desert conditions) may contribute to FAA type inspection authorization, accelerating global deployment.

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Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi developer Joby Aviation on Monday announced the completion of its first point-to-point flight in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which according to the company could be the first location where its flagship S4 flies with passengers.

Joby flew the S4 earlier this month between its test facility in Margham and Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDW) in Dubai—a 17-minute sortie during which it waded into controlled airspace and pilots communicated with air traffic control (ATC). This week, it will be the only eVTOL to fly at the Dubai Airshow, the company said.