In Dubai, air taxis will be run for six years by an American company that develops all-electric aircraft for commercial passenger use.
The US-based company will run air taxis in Dubai for six years. It builds all-electric aircraft for commercial passenger transportation.
Before the emirate's service launch, the flying carmaker also received financial help from the Dubai government.
“We signed a definitive agreement with the government of Dubai that grants Joby exclusive rights to operate air taxis in the Emirate for six years. The agreement includes financial support and identifies a regulatory pathway to enable early operations,”
the company said in its financial statement.
At the World Governments Summit in February, Joby Aviation and Dubai's Road and Transport Authority (RTA) inked a deal to begin air taxi services by early 2026; Joby had originally planned to begin operations as early as 2025.
Through the agreement, the RTA provides a range of support, including financial tools, for the establishment and development of service activities in Dubai.
According to Bonny Simi, president of Joby Aviation, the US will not be the first nation to use the company's air taxi—Dubai will be the first.
According to Joby Aviation's founder and CEO, Joe Ben Bevirt, they are also looking into the possibility of establishing a manufacturing plant in the United Arab Emirates and other nearby nations.
“We have a manufacturing line in California and Ohio and received $330 million incentives. We are in active conversation with the region about opportunities for manufacturing in the region. And UAE is among the regional countries (to set up manufacturing unit),”
said Bevirt.
News Source: Khaleej Times
