Joby’s Electric Air Taxi Lands—and Lifts Off

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer completes multiple piloted transition flights in the UAE.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, July 01, 2025 at 04:53 PM ET

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Jack Daleo

Joby’s S4, an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi, completed a series of test flights in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. [Courtesy: Joby Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Joby Aviation has delivered its first S4 eVTOL air taxi to the United Arab Emirates, with plans to launch exclusive passenger service in Dubai by 2026, serving as its initial commercial market.
The piloted, four-passenger S4 has successfully completed crucial test flights, including transitions from vertical hover to wing-borne cruise, and is designed for efficient, low-emission urban travel to significantly cut down trip times.
Joby is actively building out the necessary infrastructure, such as vertiports, and working towards operator certifications in the UAE, positioning this Middle Eastern launch as a critical step before expanding operations to the U.S. and other global markets.

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Before arriving in the U.S., electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis are expected to debut in the Middle East. This week, they moved one step closer.

Joby Aviation, developer of the piloted, four-passenger S4, on Monday announced it delivered its first air taxi to the United Arab Emirates. Joby has a six-year agreement with the Emirate of Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) that it says gives it exclusive rights to operate an air taxi service in the area.