Joby Aviation announced the addition of three new vertiports—American University of Dubai, Atlantis the Royal, and Dubai Mall—to its electric air taxi network in Dubai, and it completed its first piloted point‑to‑point flight from its Margham test facility to Al Maktoum International Airport on Sunday, November 9, 2025. The 17‑minute flight, showcased during the Dubai Airshow, proved the company’s aircraft can safely operate in shared airspace and marked a key step toward a commercial launch in 2026.
The expansion is part of an exclusive agreement with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Skyports Infrastructure, which will build and operate the new sites. In addition to the three new vertiports, Joby’s initial network includes a vertiport at Dubai International Airport, scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2026. The partnership leverages the RTA’s regulatory framework and Skyports’ infrastructure expertise, positioning Joby to deploy a full fleet of its S4 eVTOL aircraft—capable of carrying a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph and a range of 150 miles—across the city’s most trafficked destinations.
The first flight’s success underscores Joby’s progress in the UAE’s qualification program, which complements its FAA type‑certification efforts. By demonstrating controlled‑airspace operations in a major international airshow, Joby has shown that its aircraft can meet the stringent safety and operational standards required for commercial service. The flight also signals to regulators and investors that the company is on track to meet its 2026 launch target, a milestone that could give it a first‑mover advantage in a market where competitors such as Archer Aviation are also vying for early deployment.
From a business perspective, adding high‑traffic vertiports expands Joby’s service coverage and creates new revenue opportunities ahead of launch. The locations—American University of Dubai, Atlantis the Royal, and Dubai Mall—serve dense populations and tourism hubs, boosting potential ridership. The expansion strengthens the company’s network infrastructure, enhances its market entry strategy, and demonstrates the scalability of its operations, all of which are critical for attracting future investment and securing a foothold in the rapidly growing urban air mobility sector.
Management emphasized the significance of the milestone. “The successful completion of the first crewed flight of the electric aerial taxi marks a new milestone in Dubai’s distinguished record of leadership and innovation,” said His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of the RTA. “Joby’s first air taxi flight between two distinct locations underscores the success of RTA’s operational framework for developing Dubai’s aerial mobility ecosystem.” Anthony Khoury, General Manager – UAE, added, “It’s the first time an eVTOL ever flies in an international airshow, and we’re doing it right here in Dubai with our aircraft.”
Additional context highlights the scale of the opportunity: Dubai Mall attracted nearly 111 million visitors in 2024, and the definitive agreement signed in February 2024 set a launch target for early 2026. Joby’s S4 aircraft’s zero‑emission profile and quiet operation align with Dubai’s sustainability goals, while the partnership with Skyports and the RTA provides the regulatory and infrastructure foundation needed to bring the service to market.
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