Joby Aviation has taken its first fully piloted eVTOL test flights in Dubai, a major step into urban air mobility with partner Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The successful trials-the first in the Middle East-prepare Dubai for a launch of the world-first commercial air taxi service early in 2026.
Test Flight Details: A Leap Toward Urban Mobility
Joby electric five seats aircraft during the tests transitioned:
- From vertical lift –take off ,
- To horizontal cruise flight,
- Then landing again vertically.
These milestone flights reached speeds of up to 320 km/h, a range of 150-160 km, the ability to carry one pilot and four passengers hitting critical benchmarks for commercial operations.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, termed the trial as a “major step ahead” in revolutionizing urban mobility.
Commercial Launch Schedule & Regulation Track
Joby is on course for early 2026 commercial operations with:
- An exclusive six-year operating agreement with RTA
- Pilot tests through summer 2025
- Certification processes ongoing with both UAE aviation authority and the US FAA
Initial flights will be supported by a network of four vertiports -located at Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Downtown-built in partnership with Skyports.
Why This Matters for Dubai
- Reduce congestion: From airport to palm, flight will take 10 to 12 minutes, markedly different than a 45-minute drive.
- Cleaner transport: Fully electric, almost silent with airborne noise near zero, Joby’s eVTOL complements Dubai climate and emission reduction objectives.
- Tech leadership: Dubai becomes the first global city to test-then deploy-commercial air taxi services, further enhancing its image as a smart city of the future.
Growth and Global Expansion
Heavy investment: More than $2 billion raised, with support from investors like Toyota, for manufacturing and development of certification as well as global rollout.
Regional supremacy: All vertiport approvals and exclusive operating license- Dubai has a given scope for regulatory support for eVTOL market introductions in the Middle East.
Global strategy: With Dubai as its first commercial market, Joby will follow with operations in the US post-FAA certification.
What’s Next for Urban Air Travel in Dubai
Dubai’s first piloted eVTOL flight is more than a test: it is the message of urban air mobility coming alive soon and about to fundamentally shift the way residents and visitors navigate the city.
With vertiport construction under way and regulatory frameworks being fast-tracked, Dubai may actually have commercial flights taking off as soon as 2026. This is indeed signaling a new era of clean, efficient, and transformative transport in the near future.