Joby Aviation First to Apply for Air Taxi Certification in UAE

Joby Aviation has become the first company to apply for air taxi certification in the UAE, marking a pioneering step toward introducing air taxis in the region. This development is a major move toward revolutionizing urban transportation, aiming to provide faster, more efficient travel options. With Joby leading the way, the UAE is poised to become a key player in the future of air mobility and smart city innovation.

The air operator certificate is a mandatory document granted by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority for conducting commercial air transportation within the nation.

Joby Aviation, Inc. has applied to become the first certified air taxi operator in the UAE, as announced by the US-based company on Tuesday.

The air operator certificate is a regulatory requirement issued by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for companies to conduct commercial air transport operations in the country. Joby submitted its application during the inaugural Advanced Air Mobility Summit, hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation in Montreal, Canada this week.

JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, met with Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, the Director General of the GCAA, to formally submit the application. Joby will undergo a five-stage application process, which includes completing air taxi operating manuals and having its UAE-based facilities inspected. Additionally, the GCAA will oversee Joby's pilot and aircraft mechanic training as well as its flight operations.

In May 2022, Joby successfully completed a similar certification process in the US, receiving its Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. According to Bevirt, Joby’s electric air taxi is designed to carry one pilot and four passengers, reaching speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. This would reduce travel time between Dubai International Airport and Palm Jumeirah from 45 minutes by car to just 10 minutes by air.

First electric air taxi network “There is a tremendous push for clean flight technology in the UAE, and we’re thrilled to be collaborating with various partners, including the GCAA, to establish one of the world’s first electric air taxi networks, providing fast, quiet, and eco-friendly journeys,” Bevirt said.

In February, Joby signed a definitive agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to initiate air taxi services in the city. This was followed in April by a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Municipalities and Transport – Abu Dhabi (DMT), the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (DED), and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).

“The letter of intent from Joby Aviation for the air operator certificate is a key milestone in the UAE’s journey toward becoming a global leader in eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) operations,” stated Suwaidi. He added that the UAE’s readiness to embrace these advanced technologies demonstrates its commitment to supporting innovative air mobility solutions that will shape the future of transportation both in the UAE and beyond.

Flying next year Meanwhile, another US-based air transport company, Archer Aviation, has already conducted over 400 test flights of its 'Midnight' air taxi in preparation for its 2024 launch. Archer completed 402 test flights in the first eight months, surpassing its target of 400 test runs ahead of schedule.

Air taxi services are projected to launch in the UAE by 2025.

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Source: khaleejtimes‍