Joby Aviation, an NYSE-listed eVTOL developer, has submitted an application to aviation authorities in the UAE for certification of air taxi operations.

Joby delivered a letter of intent to the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority. This certification is a necessary step in its plan to set up a regular air mobility service in Dubai starting in 2026. This plan includes establishing a network of vertiports in cooperation with infrastructure developer Skyports and the local Roads and Transport Authority.

The project aims to link several key transportation nodes in the emirate, such as Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Dubai Downtown. Joby claims this certification will allow them to expand their air taxi operations beyond the US, where they have held a similar certificate since 2022.

Analyst QuickTake: This air taxi certification application will support Joby Aviation’s recent efforts in 2024 to expand its presence in the Middle East by 2026. Joby’s partnerships included Dubai's Road and Transport Authority (RTA) in February 2024 , Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) in April 2024 , and the Saudi Arabian aviation company Mukamalah in May 2024 .