Joby Aviation Completes First Electric Air Taxi Flight in Dubai
The 17 minute Margham to Al Maktoum International flight made Joby the first electric air taxi company to fly point to point in the UAE, with a Dubai International Airport vertiport due by early 2026.
US-based eVTOL developer Joby Aviation, in collaboration with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and infrastructure partner Skyports, has announced the next phase in the emirate’s electric air-taxi network. The company has completed a crewed flight in Dubai, making it the first air-taxi firm to carry out a point-to-point piloted flight in the UAE. The flight, which landed at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) after a 17-minute journey from Joby’s test facility in Margham, demonstrates readiness for shared airspace operations ahead of full commercial service. Joby also disclosed the next three vertiport locations within Dubai: Dubai Mall, Atlantis The Royal on Palm Jumeirah, and the American University of Dubai. The sites will form part of the initial network that supports high-profile destinations such as retail, hospitality and education hubs. Work is already underway on a vertiport at Dubai International Airport, due for completion in Q1 2026, which will form part of Joby’s six-year exclusive agreement with the RTA for aerial passenger service in the city.
