Updated Tuesday, December 19 at 10:15 a.m. EDT with additional information from Joby.
Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer Joby Aviation believes 2026 will be the year its air taxi begins flying passengers.
Why Joby Thinks Passenger Air Taxi Service Will Lift Off in 2026
Developer recaps a year of flight testing ahead of planned type inspection authorization trials with the FAA in 2026.
Key Takeaways:
- Joby Aviation is targeting 2026 for the launch of its eVTOL air taxi passenger service, following a year of extensive flight testing and international public demonstrations in 2025.
- The company is preparing for FAA Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) testing in 2026 and is exploring a "qualification program" in the UAE where non-commercial passenger flights could potentially begin earlier to gather data for certification.
- While Joby is progressing, industry analysts forecast a later commercial launch, potentially mid-to-late 2027 or beyond, citing the slow advancement of eVTOL developers to formal TIA testing.
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