US-based company to develop eVTOL aircraft for commercial passenger service, expected to start operations by 2025 or early 2026

According to industry analysts, flying taxis would reduce travel time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to less than 30 minutes, underscoring the UAE's leadership in the urban mobility revolution. 

Joby Aviation, a US-based business building electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for commercial passenger service, expects to begin operating air taxis in 2025 or early 2026.

During a panel discussion, JoeBen Bevirt, CEO of Joby Aviation, stated that the UAE has seen tremendous progress in terms of infrastructure development and autonomous aircraft certification.

Other firms, including eVTOL developer Archer Aviation and UAE aviation services operator Falcon Aviation, have also announced intentions to build vertiport infrastructure at key areas in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Joby and Archer have also joined up for Abu Dhabi's Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster, which was founded by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.