Joby Aviation’s vertiport network development in Dubai remains on pace, said the company in its Q2 2025 shareholder letter, noting that this development is a key strategic pillar for its commercial operations in the city.
The company revealed that the Dubai International Airport (DXB) vertiport, engineered for concurrent aircraft movements and rapid passenger processing, is critical infrastructure and is on track for completion in Q1 2026.
Joby to carry passengers in Dubai in 2026
Joby Aviation has deepened its collaboration with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) as part of its flight test campaign in Dubai this summer. Over the course of several weeks in June and July, it conducted a series of piloted, vertical-takeoff-and-landing wingborne flights.
In addition to validating its aircraft’s capabilities, this campaign solidified the operational rigor and regulatory coordination required to successfully deploy air taxi service in the region. From access to airspace for flight tests to aligning on daily operations standards, this direct, in-market regulatory engagement provided real-time feedback for operational approvals.
Joby Aviation’s cooperation with key entities in the nation and its test flights were a critical step on its path to carrying the first passengers in Dubai in 2026.
Gearing up for the launch of passenger services, Dubai successfully completed the region’s first test flight of the Joby Aerial Taxi in June 2025, a fully electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, marking a major step in its efforts to introduce sustainable, next-generation urban transport. The test flight, conducted by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in partnership with Joby Aviation, took place at a designated site in the Dubai desert.
Joby completes 21 piloted test flights in Dubai
The company also revealed that during the quarter, it achieved an industry first by delivering its aircraft to the UAE and successfully completing 21 piloted test flights in Dubai, including vertical takeoffs, landings and full transitions.
“Our campaign in the region validated several aspects of commercial market readiness in real-world conditions, spanning maintenance, logistics, aircraft capabilities and infrastructure,” it noted.
Joby conducted flights in ambient temperatures nearing 110°F (43.3°C), which provided critical data on the thermal management system performance for its battery packs and electric motors. Sustained operations at elevated temperatures directly informed thermal models and showcased system reliability across diverse climates.
“These tests also allowed us to evaluate flight dynamics and control in thin, hot air, which impacts lift and thrust efficiency. Our pilots were able to assess the aircraft’s responsiveness and handling under these challenging conditions. This data is invaluable for refining operational procedures and performance envelopes,” the company added.
It also revealed that its Dubai campaign involved a team of Joby test pilots, highly trained technicians and in-market operators. Their ability to establish and execute efficient ground operations, charging protocols and aircraft turnarounds in a new, demanding environment provided critical real-world data points for its passenger service model. The exercise also began to model the level of resourcing required to implement in-market operations.
Read: Dubai completes region’s first Joby Aerial Taxi test flight, says Sheikh Hamdan
Dubai triggers global mobility revolution
At the beginning of 2024, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority signed an agreement to launch an aerial taxi service in collaboration with the General Civil Aviation Authority, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Skyports Infrastructure, a leading British company in the development of advanced air mobility infrastructure, and Joby Aviation, a specialist in aerial vehicles.
Dubai is the first city in the world to commit to offering urban air mobility services through an advanced vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) infrastructure network for aerial taxis.
“Dubai serves as a launchpad for a global revolution in mobility, and flying our aircraft here represents a pivotal step towards integrating Aerial Taxi services into the fabric of daily life around the world. Thanks to our 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,” said JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation.
