Latest news with #Khoury
Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Dubai eyes air taxi launch in 2026 after successful test flight
Dubai could soon transform daily commuting with the introduction of air taxis. California-based Joby Aviation successfully conducted the first test flight of its fully-electric aerial taxi in the emirate this week. The demonstration marks a critical step in Dubai's plan to integrate electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into the city's mobility network by 2026. Joby Aviation aims to help ease the burden on Dubai's increasingly congested roads by offering a faster, eco-friendly alternative for short-distance travel. 'We want to change the way people commute,' Reuters quoted Anthony Khoury, Joby's UAE General Manager, as saying. According to the company, a trip from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Palm Jumeirah using its aerial taxi will take just 12 minutes—compared to approximately 45 minutes by car. The future of cleaner, quieter urban travel just landed in Dubai. Today marks a significant milestone on our path to commercialization: we successfully completed a series of piloted, full-transition, electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing flights in — Joby Aviation (@jobyaviation) June 30, 2025 Earlier in 2024, Joby signed an exclusive six-year contract with Dubai's Roads and Transit Authority (RTA) to operate aerial taxis in the emirate. The commercial rollout, expected in 2026, will initially connect four vertiport hubs—Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, and Dubai Marina. While affordability remains a long-term goal, Khoury acknowledged that the initial pricing structure may cater more to high-income travelers. 'As with any novel technology, early days might be a bit more premium,' he said. The test flight was held on Monday at a remote desert site southeast of Dubai's downtown. Designed to simulate a typical passenger route, the electric aircraft executed a vertical takeoff, flew several miles, and returned with a vertical landing. The event was attended by senior government officials, transport executives, and Joby Aviation representatives. The Joby Aerial Taxi is capable of flying up to 160 km at speeds reaching 320 kmph. With zero operating emissions, the fully-electric eVTOL is designed for minimal noise, making it ideal for urban use. 'It will be flying in the city, next to residential areas, and hopefully people will barely notice it,' Khoury noted. Despite the progress, the eVTOL industry still faces challenges such as regulatory approvals and infrastructure development, particularly the construction of vertiports. In April, Morgan Stanley downgraded Joby's stock price target from $10 to $7 due to execution risks and industry-wide concerns like supply-chain disruptions and tariffs. Joby shares currently trade at $10.55, according to Reuters.
Arab Times
14 hours ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Electric air taxis set to transform commuting in Dubai by 2026
DUBAI, UAE, July 2: Dubai commuters may soon have a new way to bypass traffic jams: electric air taxis. This week, Joby Aviation successfully completed the first test flight of its fully electric air taxi in Dubai, marking a significant step forward in the city's plan to integrate aerial transport into its existing mobility network as early as next year. Joby aims to reduce pressure on Dubai's ground transport system by providing faster travel options amid rising congestion. 'We want to change the way people commute,' said Anthony Khoury, Joby's UAE General Manager. A flight from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Palm Jumeirah aboard the Joby Aerial Taxi is expected to take about twelve minutes, compared to approximately 45 minutes by car. While Joby's ultimate goal is to make air taxis affordable for everyone, Khoury acknowledged that early services may be priced for higher-income travelers. 'As with any new technology, the early days might be a bit more premium,' he said. The demonstration flight took place Monday at a remote desert location southeast of downtown Dubai, simulating a typical air taxi journey. The aircraft performed a vertical takeoff, flew several miles, and returned for a vertical landing. The event was attended by senior government officials, transportation executives, and company representatives. The Joby Aerial Taxi is a flagship electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developed by the California-based company. It can travel up to 160 kilometers (100 miles) at speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 mph). Fully electric and producing zero emissions, Joby's air taxi is designed to be eco-friendly and quiet enough for urban operation. 'It will be flying in the city, near residential areas, and hopefully people will barely notice it,' Khoury said. Despite the excitement surrounding eVTOL technology as the future of urban air transport, the industry faces challenges, including obtaining regulatory approvals and developing adequate vertiport infrastructure. Morgan Stanley recently downgraded Joby's stock price target from $10 to $7, citing near-term execution risks and broader aerospace industry concerns like tariffs and supply chain issues. Joby's stock currently trades at $10.55. In early 2024, Joby secured an exclusive six-year contract with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority to operate aerial taxis in the city. The company plans to launch commercial air taxi services in Dubai in 2026, initially operating from four vertiports located at Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, and Dubai Marina. 'In aviation, transformations like this are rare,' said Didier Papadopoulos, Joby's President of Original Equipment Manufacturing. 'Every so often, there is a leap into the future. What you're witnessing here is truly exciting, and I look forward to seeing people riding this in the near future.'
9 News
a day ago
- Automotive
- 9 News
A quarter of drivers admit to microsleep behind the wheel
Almost one in four Australians have succumbed to a microsleep while driving, new research from the NRMA has revealed. The nationwide index survey of more than 2000 Australians showed that, of the 23 per cent of respondents who had fallen asleep behind the wheel, almost two-thirds said it occurred during the day. The shocking figure comes as the national road toll for the past 12 months to May sits at 1337 deaths. LIVE UPDATES: Thousands without power and some residents told to stay indoors as wild weather hits NSW coast Fatigue is a factor in one in five crashes on Australian roads, the NRMA says. (iStock) This is a 4.8 per cent increase from the same time last year, figures from the federal government's National Road Safety Data Hub show. The NRMA survey results also found that nearly 40 per cent of drivers are not taking a break at least every two hours when driving longer distances of three hours or more. When planning a road trip, 61 per cent were most concerned about beating the traffic and almost one-quarter left before sunrise, the research showed. NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said too many Australians were losing their lives because they were driving exhausted. "Fatigue is a factor in one in five crashes on Australian roads, the road toll this year is already far too high and this unnecessary risk can be removed by taking a break," Khoury said. The survey results come as many Australians prepare to hit the road for their winter break. Almost 70 per cent of Australians planned to stay within the country for their next holiday, and, for those who would be travelling interstate, 45 per cent planned to drive. Khoury said as more Australians chose to travel domestically for their holidays due to ongoing cost-of-living pressures, it was vital drivers prioritised safety on our roads.
Observer
a day ago
- Business
- Observer
Dubai aims to beat the traffic with 2026 Joby air taxi liftoff
Dubai commuters may soon have a new way to skip traffic: air taxis. Joby Aviation conducted the first test flight of its fully-electric air taxi in the emirate this week, a major milestone in the city's efforts to integrate airborne transport into existing mobility networks as early as next year. Joby hopes its air-taxis will ease pressure on existing ground transportation and offer travelers a faster alternative as Dubai faces increasing congestion. "We want to change the way people commute," Anthony Khoury, Joby's UAE General Manager, said. A journey from Dubai's main airport DXB to Palm Jumeirah aboard the Joby Aerial Taxi will take roughly twelve minutes, the company predicts, as opposed to 45 minutes by car. While Joby's long-term ambition is to make its aerial taxis "affordable for everybody to use," Khoury says, they acknowledge early pricing will likely target higher-income travelers. "As with any novel technology, early days might be a bit more premium." The demonstration flight was held on Monday at an isolated desert site southeast of Dubai's downtown and was designed to emulate a typical aerial taxi journey, according to Joby Aviation officials. In a ceremony attended by senior government officials, transport executives and company representatives, the experimental aircraft executed a vertical takeoff, flew for several miles, and then returned for a vertical landing. The Joby Aerial Taxi, the flagship electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developed by the California-based company, can fly distances of up to 160 kilometers (100 miles) at speeds reaching 320km/hr (200mph). Fully electric, with zero operating emissions, Joby's air-taxi is designed to be both eco-friendly and quiet enough for commercial use in dense urban areas. "It will be flying in the city, next to residential areas, and hopefully people will barely notice it,' Khoury said. While eVTOLs such as Joby's have been hailed as the future of urban air the industry still faces major hurdles -- including securing regulatory approval and developing sufficient vertiport infrastructure. Morgan Stanley downgraded Joby's stock price target from $10 to $7 in April, flagging near-term execution risks and broader aerospace industry concerns, including tariffs and supply-chain issues. Joby is currently trading at $10.55. In early 2024, Joby signed a contract with Dubai's Roads and Transit Authority that awarded the company exclusive rights to operate aerial taxis in the city for the next six years. The company plans to inaugurate the emirate's commercial air-taxi service in 2026, with four initial vertiports located at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown and Dubai Marina. "In aviation, you don't see transformations like this,' said Didier Papadopoulos, Joby's President of Original Equipment Manufacturing. "Every once in a while, you have this propulsive move into the future. What you're witnessing here is really exciting, and I'm excited for you to be riding this one point in the future.'
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Dubai aims to beat the traffic with 2026 Joby air taxi liftoff
A technician gestures to a pilot flying an experimental Joby Dubai Aerial Taxi aircraft in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 30, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky DUBAI (Reuters) -Dubai commuters may soon have a new way to skip traffic: air taxis. Joby Aviation conducted the first test flight of its fully-electric air taxi in the emirate this week, a major milestone in the city's efforts to integrate airborne transport into existing mobility networks as early as next year. Joby hopes its air-taxis will ease pressure on existing ground transportation and offer travelers a faster alternative as Dubai faces increasing congestion. "We want to change the way people commute," Anthony Khoury, Joby's UAE General Manager, said. A journey from Dubai's main airport DXB to Palm Jumeirah aboard the Joby Aerial Taxi will take roughly twelve minutes, the company predicts, as opposed to 45 minutes by car. While Joby's long-term ambition is to make its aerial taxis "affordable for everybody to use," Khoury says, they acknowledge early pricing will likely target higher-income travelers. "As with any novel technology, early days might be a bit more premium." The demonstration flight was held on Monday at an isolated desert site southeast of Dubai's downtown and was designed to emulate a typical aerial taxi journey, according to Joby Aviation officials. In a ceremony attended by senior government officials, transport executives and company representatives, the experimental aircraft executed a vertical takeoff, flew for several miles, and then returned for a vertical landing. The Joby Aerial Taxi, the flagship electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developed by the California-based company, can fly distances of up to 160 kilometers (100 miles) at speeds reaching 320km/hr (200mph). Fully electric, with zero operating emissions, Joby's air-taxi is designed to be both eco-friendly and quiet enough for commercial use in dense urban areas. 'It will be flying in the city, next to residential areas, and hopefully people will barely notice it,' Khoury said. While eVTOLs such asJoby's have been hailed as the future of urban air the industry still faces major hurdles -- including securing regulatory approval and developingsufficient vertiport infrastructure. Morgan Stanley downgraded Joby's stock price target from $10 to $7 in April, flagging near-term execution risks and broader aerospace industry concerns, including tariffs and supply-chain issues. Jobyis currently trading at $10.55. In early 2024, Joby signed a contract with Dubai's Roads and Transit Authority that awarded the company exclusive rights to operate aerial taxis in the city for the next six years. The company plans to inaugurate the emirate's commercial air-taxi service in 2026, with four initial vertiports located at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown and Dubai Marina. 'In aviation, you don't see transformations like this,' said Didier Papadopoulos, Joby's President of Original Equipment Manufacturing. 'Every once in a while, you have this propulsive move into the future. What you're witnessing here is really exciting, and I'm excited for you to be riding this one point in the future.' (Reporting by Abdelhadi Ramahi and Luke Tyson in Dubai; editing by Maha El Dahan, Editing by Louise Heavens)
