Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Joby Aviation, the California-based aerospace company developing all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, completed a series of piloted test flights in Dubai this week, marking a major operational milestone ahead of its planned commercial launch in the United Arab Emirates in 2026.
The flights were carried out in coordination with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA). The aircraft, operated by a Joby test pilot, successfully completed a full flight sequence demonstrating vertical takeoff, transition into forward flight, and a controlled vertical landing. These tests marked the first fully piloted eVTOL flights in the Emirate.
First Operational Deployment Outside the United States
The demonstration represents Joby’s first public piloted flight outside the U.S. and the first time its aircraft has flown with a pilot on board in the Middle East. This milestone follows the company’s earlier agreement with Dubai’s RTA granting Joby exclusive rights to operate air taxi services in the city for a six-year period starting in 2026.
According to Joby, the test was conducted using a production prototype identical in design to the aircraft the company plans to deploy commercially. The eVTOL model is designed to carry four passengers plus a pilot, with a maximum speed of 200 mph (322 km/h) and a maximum range of up to 150 miles (241 km) on a single charge. Joby states that the aircraft emits zero operating emissions and is 100 times quieter than conventional helicopters during takeoff and landing.
Integrated Infrastructure Development Underway
Alongside flight testing, construction has commenced on the first dedicated vertiport at Dubai International Airport (DXB), with operations scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026. Joby is collaborating with Skyports Infrastructure on the development of this facility, which is one of four planned vertiport locations across the city. Additional sites are proposed for Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Downtown Dubai.
The vertiport network will be integrated with Dubai’s existing transport systems, including metro and road links, and is expected to support rapid inter-city and intra-city travel with minimal ground congestion. Flight routes and airspace integration are being coordinated with local aviation regulators under Dubai’s broader advanced air mobility roadmap.
Certification and Global Expansion Strategy
Joby’s piloted demonstration in Dubai is part of a larger strategy to position itself as a global leader in urban air mobility. The company is simultaneously pursuing type certification of its aircraft through the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), having recently entered the final phase of flight testing under the FAA’s Type Inspection Authorization.
To meet projected demand, Joby is expanding production capabilities at its manufacturing facility in Dayton, Ohio, with plans for mass production once certification is achieved. The company has also delivered aircraft to Edwards Air Force Base under a U.S. Department of Defense contract, supporting both commercial and defense sector applications.
Middle East Partnerships
Earlier this month, Joby signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Abdul Latif Jameel, a Saudi Arabian diversified business group, to explore the launch of eVTOL services in the Kingdom. The agreement includes the potential sale and support of up to 200 aircraft across Saudi Arabia and is aligned with Vision 2030’s emphasis on clean transport and smart infrastructure.
Market Implications
Following the Dubai test flights, Joby’s stock (NYSE: JOBY) surged by over 20%, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s execution timeline and global reach. The company has raised over $2 billion to date and reported approximately $813 million in cash and short-term investments at the end of Q1 2025.
The successful piloted demonstration in Dubai represents one of the final steps before commercial launch, signaling that Joby remains on track to initiate passenger operations in early 2026. No specific details have been released regarding ticket pricing, booking platforms, or airspace corridors, though further announcements are expected later this year in coordination with the RTA and GCAA.
