Latest news with #flyingtaxis
UAE Moments
04-07-2025
- Business
- UAE Moments
Abu Dhabi Achieves Success in First Flying Taxi Trial
Abu Dhabi has officially entered the future of urban transport with a successful test flight of its flying taxi at Al Bateen Executive Airport on Wednesday. Join our FREE WhatsApp channel to dive into a world of real-time engagement! The milestone flight was announced by the US-based Archer Aviation in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), marking a major step toward the commercial launch of flying taxi services, which is expected to begin in early 2026. 'Today is the first step of many to enable the commercialisation of air taxis in Abu Dhabi and the UAE,' said Omran Malek, head of autonomous mobility and robotics at ADIO. 'We're not just launching a service, we're building an entire ecosystem around it, including pilot training, maintenance, manufacturing, and workforce development.' Testing For UAE's Unique Conditions The test flight of Archer's Midnight aircraft featured a vertical takeoff and landing, designed to evaluate performance in the UAE's challenging summer conditions, high temperatures, humidity, and dust. Dr Talib Alhinai, manager of Archer Aviation UAE, explained: 'Our initial flight tests are all about validating the aircraft's readiness for the UAE's environment. Once that's complete, we can move confidently into the commercial phase.' More tests are planned over the summer to further study the aircraft's durability in local conditions. Building The Future of Urban Mobility Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai are racing to launch flying taxis, with Joby Aviation also conducting a successful test in Dubai earlier this week. Abu Dhabi, however, is taking a comprehensive approach by developing the necessary infrastructure, including vertiports, airspace integration, and local manufacturing facilities. According to Malek, Archer plans to begin manufacturing the flying taxis in Al Ain by 2027, with plans to export them to other countries as interest grows in the region. Affordable and Accessible Contrary to popular belief, flying taxis won't just be for luxury travelers. Malek reassured that the service is being designed to be affordable for the public: 'As we build more vertiports and increase the number of aircraft, the price will scale down, making it practical for daily use.' In the initial commercial phase, a small fleet of aircraft will operate in Abu Dhabi, with the service gradually expanding as the supporting ecosystem matures. With the first commercial flights targeted for early 2026, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a global leader in urban air mobility, not just testing the future but building it.
Globe and Mail
03-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Joby Aviation: The Flying Taxi Stock That's Lifting Off
Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY) could soon turn your sci-fi dreams into reality. With flying taxis, FAA breakthroughs, and $800 million in funding, this stock might be one of the most overlooked plays in urban mobility. But with rising competition and no revenue yet, is this worth investing in, or is it a misfire? *Stock prices used were the market prices of June 20, 2025. The video was published on July 3, 2025. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More » Should you invest $1,000 in Joby Aviation right now? Before you buy stock in Joby Aviation, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Joby Aviation wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $692,914!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $963,866!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is1,049% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to179%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 30, 2025 Rick Orford has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Joby Aviation Soared Higher in June
Joby completed test flights in the UAE, staying on course to launch service in 2026. The company still has milestones to complete, but Joby looks like a clear leader in the eVTOL race. 10 stocks we like better than Joby Aviation › Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY) reached a historic milestone in its effort to bring "flying taxis" to the masses, and investors responded by sending the stock to higher altitudes. Joby shares soared 34.9% in June, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, after the company's aircraft took to the skies over Dubai ahead of a commercial rollout. Joby is among a handful of companies racing to bring an electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft to market. eVTOLs combine the nimbleness of a helicopter with the stability of an airplane and have great potential to shuttle customers over traffic jams and to nearby destinations. Late in the month, Joby announced it had delivered its first aircraft to the United Arab Emirates and had begun commercial market readiness work with multiple piloted flights. The company said the move "cements" its global lead in the air taxi market, with a goal of carrying passengers around Dubai in 2026. "Our flights and operational footprint in Dubai are a monumental step toward weaving air taxi services into the fabric of daily life worldwide," Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt said in a statement. The flights are indeed a big deal, setting Joby ahead of the pack. The flights not only demonstrated the company's design maturity but also should counter critics who questioned the aircraft's capabilities in high-temperature conditions. We're still a long way from mass production and rollout, with Joby still awaiting final regulatory approval in the United States and elsewhere. This industry has the potential for multiple winners, so arguably, being first is not crucial, but Joby looks like a clear favorite to be among those winners. Investors should be aware that Joby is no bargain, valued by the market at more than $8 billion despite still working toward sales and profits. And with the move higher in June, the stock is now up 62% since the beginning of April. Joby shares have a history of volatility, but the choppiness could fade as some of the questions about launch dates are answered. For those intrigued by the opportunity and willing to stomach some potential choppiness along the way, Joby could be an exciting part of a well-diversified portfolio. Before you buy stock in Joby Aviation, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Joby Aviation wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $722,181!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $968,402!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,069% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 177% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 30, 2025 Lou Whiteman has positions in Joby Aviation. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Joby Aviation Soared Higher in June was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
Economy ME
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Economy ME
Abu Dhabi successfully completes first test flight of 'Midnight' flying taxi
Archer announced on Wednesday the successful completion of an initial flight of its Midnight flying taxi at Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen Executive Airport, marking a key milestone for its planned commercial deployment in the UAE and the expansion of its operations in the Middle East region. Abu Dhabi's latest milestone comes amid a major push in the UAE to advance tests, infrastructure and legislation in a bid to adopt advanced air mobility as soon as 2026. Earlier in the day, the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) issued the world's first regulatory framework for hybrid operations , enabling both flying taxis and conventional helicopters to operate interchangeably on the same infrastructure. By enabling dual-use between conventional helicopter pads and landing pads for flying taxis, this initiative helps accelerate the implementation timelines in the UAE, optimizes infrastructure utilization and cements the UAE's position as a leader in fostering an integrated ecosystem supporting the future of aviation. Archer seeks regional expansion following Abu Dhabi success With the support of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), Archer's test flight was witnessed by senior leadership from the UAE GCAA, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the Integrated Transport Center, Abu Dhabi Aviation and Abu Dhabi Airports, along with representatives from Archer's regional partners. Focused on evaluating the flying taxi's VTOL performance in UAE-specific conditions, including temperature, humidity and dust exposure, the test flight allows Archer to validate readiness for commercial deployment. Following this milestone in Abu Dhabi, Archer will expand its flight-testing program for the Midnight flying taxi in the region, gathering additional data to support its certification and commercialization plans in both the UAE and other key markets. 'This flight marks a significant step towards realizing Abu Dhabi's ambition to lead the world in advanced urban air mobility. Through the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) Cluster, we are enabling companies like Archer to test, certify and scale next-generation air mobility solutions, reinforcing our position as a global launchpad for innovation and a hub for transformative technologies,' said Badr Al-Olama, director general of ADIO. Read: Dubai completes region's first Joby Aerial Taxi test flight, says Sheikh Hamdan Achievement builds on approval of UAE's first hybrid heliport The test flight supports Archer's Launch Edition commercialization program with Abu Dhabi Aviation, which aims to establish flying taxi services in Abu Dhabi. The announcement comes as Archer continues to advance its certification and commercialization efforts in the UAE and beyond, building on recent achievements, including regulatory design approval for the UAE's first hybrid heliport at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal and ongoing partnerships with leading regional operators. 'Our initial test flight operations in the UAE represent a critical milestone as we prepare for our commercial deployment in Abu Dhabi. Testing our aircraft in actual operating conditions in the middle of summer provides us with the data we need to progress our commercial and certification efforts both in the UAE and in the U.S.,' said Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer Aviation. The Launch Edition program represents Archer's approach to establishing commercial operations in key early adopter markets. Abu Dhabi's role as Archer's first Launch Edition market positions the emirate as a global leader in urban air mobility deployment, demonstrating Abu Dhabi's commitment to innovative transport and sustainable mobility solutions.
Khaleej Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi announces first successful flying taxi test flight
Abu Dhabi on Wednesday announced a successful test flight of its flying taxi at Al Bateen Executive Airport. The US-based Archer Aviation and Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio) announced the successful flight ahead of its commercial launch set to take place early next year. "Today is the first step of many steps that are going to happen to enable the commercialisation of air taxis in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. We don't just test to test, but test to commercialise. We're not just launching an air taxi service, we're building an ecosystem around us — from pilot training to MROs to talent development to manufacturing with Archer Aviation, with the facility in Al Ain," said Omran Malek, head of autonomous mobility and robotics at Abu Dhabi Investment Office. "We are also collaborating with universities on what curricula or short diplomas need to be developed for the workforce that will go into this ecosystem." He said the test phase will continue into the summer to 'understand how this vehicle will withstand the unique summer environment with humidity and dust. Then we'll bring this aircraft to fly over the city and then into the commercial phase in early 2026.' The successful launch of a test flight by Abu Dhabi comes a couple of days after a similar successful test launch by Joby Aviation in Dubai. Both the emirates are looking to launch flying taxis in the next few quarters. Dr Talib Alhinai, manager of Archer Aviation in the UAE, said Archer just completed its first flight of its Midnight aircraft in the UAE capital, which is Archer's planned first global launch market. 'It was a vertical takeoff and landing flight at the Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi city. Our initial flight test operations in the UAE are focused specifically on evaluating the aircraft's performance, including high temperature, humidity, and dust exposure. This allows us to validate our readiness for a planned commercial deployment in the UAE. The initial aircraft that we brought to the UAE specifically focuses on testing the UAE's conditions, and so it's not one of our pilot aircraft. We plan to have those in operation in the UAE later this year,' he said. 'Once we validate that readiness, we'll be able to assess our readiness for commercial deployments and expand our flight test programme.' In the initial phase of commercial launch, Archer plans to deploy a small fleet of aircraft to the UAE. In an interview with Khaleej Times, Omran Malek noted that the priority is to launch the commercial operations safely and have the ecosystem ready with the vertiports and integration with the airspace. 'So, all that is the priority for us to launch in Abu Dhabi.' He added that the aim is to launch commercial flying taxi services in early 2026 in Abu Dhabi. He added that the manufacturing of the flying taxis by Archer will begin in Al Ain in 2027. And in the next phase, they will be exported to other countries as well due to strong interest from regional countries. In terms of pricing, he said that the assumption is that this new mode of transportation is 'only for luxury travellers, which is not the case in Abu Dhabi. The price will be feasible for the public. As we introduce more vertiports and aeroplanes, that price will scale down so that it can be used on a daily basis.'
