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Joby Lays Plans for Electric Air Taxi Network in Saudi Arabia

An agreement with Mukamalah Aviation, a subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, could include the direct sale of aircraft to the operator.

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 04:31 PM ET

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JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby, and Captain Khalid Al Natour, CEO of Mukamalah, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday. [Courtesy: Joby Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Joby Aviation signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mukamalah Aviation, a Saudi Aramco subsidiary, to introduce its eVTOL air taxi service in Saudi Arabia, potentially including direct aircraft sales.
This agreement expands Joby's Middle East presence, building on previous deals to launch air taxi operations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as early as 2025.
Saudi Arabia sees the adoption of eVTOL technology as a key component of its Vision 2030, aiming for economic diversification, sustainability, and leadership in urban air mobility.
The Saudi market is attracting several eVTOL manufacturers, reflecting a growing regional interest and competitive landscape for advanced air mobility solutions.

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Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi manufacturer Joby Aviation is setting its sights on Saudi Arabia.

The manufacturer on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mukamalah Aviation—a subsidiary of state-owned oil and gas company Saudi Aramco that according to Joby operates the world’s largest fleet of corporate aircraft—to introduce its eVTOL air taxi in the country.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.