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Joby Sets 2026 Dubai Debut for Air Taxi Service Under Exclusive RTA Deal

Local approval alongside new vertiport infrastructure could position the company to begin paid flights in the UAE ahead of U.S. certification.

Overview

  • The six-year agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority includes a roadmap for UAE GCAA approval and grants market exclusivity.
  • Joby expects its first vertiport at Dubai International Airport to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
  • FAA pilots are expected to start for-credit flight testing in 2026, with full U.S. type certification possibly not arriving until 2027.
  • Only after type certification can Joby scale production and operate broadly, requiring a manufacturing ramp to meet expected demand.
  • The company reported a $401 million loss in the third quarter and an accumulated deficit near $2.7 billion, increasing pressure to begin generating revenue.