Latest news with #RoadsandTransportAuthority


Filipino Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
Joby Air Taxi completes test flight in Dubai ahead of 2026 launch
A prototype electric air taxi developed by U.S. company Joby Aviation successfully completed a test flight in Dubai on Monday, as the city moves closer to launching commercial flying taxi services by 2026. The test flight was conducted in collaboration with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, praised the achievement, calling it a reflection of the UAE's forward-thinking approach to innovation. 'This pioneering initiative is part of the UAE's broader vision to lead the world in innovation and the development of advanced technologies,' Sheikh Hamdan wrote on the social media platform X. Dubai has successfully completed the region's first test flight of the Joby Aerial Taxi. Conducted through a collaboration between the Roads and Transport Authority and Joby Aviation, the test flight marks a major step toward launching full operations next year. The all-electric… — Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) June 30, 2025 The five-seat aircraft, which accommodates a pilot and four passengers, is capable of reaching speeds of up to 320 kilometers per hour. It is expected to significantly reduce travel times within the city, for instance, cutting the journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah from 45 minutes to just 12 minutes. Under a six-year exclusive agreement, Dubai has granted Joby the right to operate air taxi services in the emirate. Four initial vertiport locations have been identified: Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, and Dubai Marina.


Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Dubai moves one step closer to flying taxis with successful test flight
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Monday the region's first successful test flight of the Joby Aerial Taxi. The test flight was conducted at a designated desert test site in Dubai. The flight was part of a series of daily test operations aimed at evaluating the aircraft's performance within the local environment, in preparation for the commercial rollout of urban air mobility services. The city plans to launch Aerial Taxi station operations near Dubai International Airport next year, during which the inaugural commercial Aerial Taxi flight is scheduled to take place. A journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah, for example, is expected to take just 12 minutes, compared to approximately 45 minutes by car. The Joby Aerial Taxi has vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability, which makes it suited for urban environments, requiring minimal horizontal space for take-off and landing at vertiports. According to the RTA, it is a sustainable, environmentally friendly vehicle powered by electricity, generating zero operating emissions. Its design features six rotors and four battery packs, enabling it to achieve a flight range of up to 160 km and a maximum speed of 320 km/h. The flying taxi accommodates four passengers and operates at significantly lower noise levels compared to conventional helicopters, the statement added. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said: 'the integration of aerial mobility into our transport ecosystem is a step towards ensuring the city's infrastructure is built around the needs of future generations.' Meanwhile JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, said that as a result of the firm's 'forward-looking strategic partnership with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, we are helping shape a future where clean and quiet aviation becomes the new norm.' At the beginning of 2024, RTA signed an agreement to launch the Aerial Taxi service in collaboration with the General Civil Aviation Authority, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Skyports Infrastructure, a British company in the development of advanced air mobility infrastructure, and Joby Aviation. 'The agreement positions Dubai as the first city in the world to offer urban air mobility through an advanced network of VTOL infrastructure for Aerial Taxis,' it said.


Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Joby Cements Global Lead in Air Taxi Industry with Dubai Flights and Beginning of Commercial Market Readiness Work
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. & DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY), a company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, today announced a historic milestone: its electric air taxi has successfully completed a series of piloted, vertical-takeoff-and-landing wingborne flights in Dubai, marking the start of its commercial market readiness efforts in the region. A first in the eVTOL sector, these efforts will further develop Joby's readiness in anticipation of carrying its first passengers in 2026. This milestone also marks a significant step in Joby's three-pronged commercialization strategy: direct operations, aircraft sales, and regional partnerships. 'The United Arab Emirates is a launchpad for a global revolution in how we move,' said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation. 'In addition to building a performant aircraft, we've also been maturing our program for anticipated passenger service with global operational capabilities and scalable, durable manufacturing. Our flights and operational footprint in Dubai are a monumental step toward weaving air taxi services into the fabric of daily life worldwide. With our visionary partners, we're igniting a future where quiet, clean flight is the new normal, and we're demonstrating the leadership of American innovation on the global stage.' His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority – Dubai also witnessed the inaugural test flights in Dubai, gaining a front-row view of the progress toward their vision for safe and future-ready mobility. This achievement was made possible by Joby's collaboration with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), and the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Building on the landmark 2024 agreement with the RTA that granted Joby exclusive rights to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years, it positions Joby at the forefront of shaping the future of transportation and reinforces the UAE's role as a leader in advanced air mobility. His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, said: 'The launch of the air taxi's trial operation reflects UAE leadership's vision to advance sustainable and innovative mobility across all public and shared transport modes. It underscores Dubai's commitment to keeping pace with rapid global transformations and developing future-ready solutions to emerging mobility challenges. 'The air taxi will introduce a new premium service for residents and visitors seeking smooth, fast, and safe travel to key destinations across the city. The service will also strengthen integration with public transport systems and individual mobility options such as e-scooters and bicycles, enabling seamless multimodal travel and enhanced connectivity across Dubai, ensuring a smooth and convenient experience for all passengers.' Joby aims to introduce its commercial service at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Dubai Downtown, with vertiport construction already underway. The DXB to Palm Jumeirah trip, for example, is expected to take only 12 minutes, cutting a 45-minute car ride down to a fraction of the time. Joby's aircraft is designed to transport a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph (~320 km/h), with minimal noise and zero operating emissions. It offers faster, quieter, and more convenient air travel for short commutes, quick trips and seamless mobility across the region. The start of commercial market readiness work in Dubai builds on nearly two years of hot weather trials at Edwards Air Force Base in the United States and demonstrates new levels of operational capacity, scaling the capabilities of logistics and Joby team members. With a 15-year track record of engineering excellence, more than 40,000 miles of flight testing, successful piloted transition flights, and proven multi-aircraft operations, Joby continues to move closer to its vision of making clean, quiet, and fast air travel an everyday reality. About Joby Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY) is a California-based transportation company developing an all-electric, vertical take-off and landing air taxi which it intends to operate as part of a fast, quiet, and convenient service in cities around the world. To learn more, visit Forward Looking Statements This release contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the 'safe harbor' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to, statements regarding the development and performance of our aircraft, progress and timing, including our expectation to carry our first passengers in 2026; our plans related to certification and operation of our business in the United Arab Emirates, including vertiport location, timing and expected benefits of our service; our business plan, objectives, goals and market opportunity; plans for, and potential benefits of, our strategic partnerships; and our current expectations relating to our business, results of operations, including the expected benefits of our vertically-integrated business model. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as 'anticipate', 'estimate', 'expect', 'project', 'plan', 'intend', 'believe', 'may', 'will', 'should', 'can have', 'likely' and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. All forward looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including: our ability to launch our air taxi service and the growth of the urban air mobility market generally; our ability to produce aircraft that meet our performance expectations in the volumes and on the timelines that we project; complexities related to obtaining certification and operating in foreign markets; the ability of us and our partners to develop necessary infrastructure in time for planned operations, or at all; the competitive environment in which we operate; our ability to effectively respond to evolving regulations and standards relating to our aircraft; uncertainties related to our estimates of the size of the market for our service and future revenue opportunities; and other important factors discussed in the section titled 'Risk Factors' in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') on February 27, 2025, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 8, 2025, and in future filings and other reports we file with or furnish to the SEC. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates and beliefs as of the date of this release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.


Dubai Eye
2 days ago
- Business
- Dubai Eye
Dubai completes region's first test flight of Joby Air Taxi
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai's Crown Prince, on Monday announced the successful first test flight of Joby air taxi in the region, marking "a major step towards launching full operations next year". In a post on social media platform X, Sheikh Hamdan, who also holds the position of the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, said it is a "a new leap in eco-friendly urban mobility". The test flight was conducted through a collaboration between Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Joby Aviation at a designated desert test site in Dubai. The test sites feature a dedicated vertiport, a hangar for flight monitoring and tracking, and the latest electric charging technologies. "The all-electric aerial taxi represents a new leap in eco-friendly urban mobility - reducing travel times, enhancing quality of life and advancing sustainable development," Sheikh Hamdan added. "This pioneering initiative is part of the UAE's broader vision to lead the world in innovation and the deployment of advanced technologies. "Our nation's skies have opened to new possibilities, and the best is yet to come," he added. Dubai has successfully completed the region's first test flight of the Joby Aerial Taxi. Conducted through a collaboration between the Roads and Transport Authority and Joby Aviation, the test flight marks a major step toward launching full operations next year. The all-electric… — Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) June 30, 2025 It is part of a series of daily test operations aimed at evaluating the aircraft's performance within the local environment, in preparation for the commercial rollout of urban air mobility services. The Joby Aerial Taxi is powered entirely by electricity, generating zero operating emissions. Its design features six rotors and four battery packs, enabling it to achieve a flight range of up to 160 km and a maximum speed of 320 km/h. The air taxi can accommodate four passengers in addition to the pilot and operates at significantly lower noise levels compared to conventional helicopters. It is ideally suited for urban environments, requiring minimal horizontal space for take-off and landing at vertiports. In a significant stride towards introducing Aerial Taxi services, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in cooperation with Joby Aviation, a leading developer of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, announced the region's first successful test flight of the… — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 30, 2025 Dubai pioneers the future of mobility with region's first test flight of Joby Aerial Taxi. @rta_dubai I @jobyaviation — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 30, 2025 In 2026, Aerial Taxi station operations will take-off near Dubai International Airport, during which the inaugural commercial Aerial Taxi flight is scheduled to take place. 'The aerial taxi will introduce a new premium service for residents and visitors seeking smooth, fast, and safe travel to key destinations across the city. A journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah, for example, is expected to take just 12 minutes, compared to approximately 45 minutes by car,' said Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA. JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, highlighted that they are 'helping shape a future where clean and quiet aviation becomes the new norm'.


Hi Dubai
2 days ago
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Conducts Region's First Successful Test Flight of Joby Aerial Taxi
Dubai has taken a major leap toward future mobility with the successful test flight of the region's first aerial taxi, conducted by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in collaboration with US-based Joby Aviation. The test, held at a dedicated desert site, marks a pivotal milestone in Dubai's strategy to integrate electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into its public transport network. The flight was witnessed by key government officials, including H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who called the achievement a reflection of Dubai's commitment to innovation and sustainability. The Joby Aerial Taxi is a fully electric aircraft designed to carry four passengers and a pilot. With a top speed of 320 km/h and a range of 160 km, it promises to cut travel times drastically — a trip from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah, for example, would take just 12 minutes. The trial flight is part of ongoing daily testing ahead of commercial launch, with the first station set to open near Dubai International Airport in 2026. The project includes vertiports, smart charging systems, and integration with other modes of transport to support seamless urban mobility. The RTA's partnership with Joby and other global players positions Dubai as the first city worldwide to offer aerial taxis through a dedicated VTOL infrastructure network. News Source: Emirates News Agency