Joby has completed the first test of a flying cab in Dubai

US-based Joby Aviation has completed pilot testing of its first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Dubai. This is part of preparations for the launch of a commercial air cab service scheduled for 2026.
The trials were the first stage in the implementation of an agreement between Joby and the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority signed in February 2024. Under the terms of the deal, the company received exclusive rights to provide eVTOL transportation services in the emirate for a period of six years.
Joby is now building a vertiport at Dubai International Airport, with future plans to roll out infrastructure at Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown and Marina. It has also signed agreements with three Abu Dhabi government departments to expand service in the capital region in 2024.
CEO JoBen Bevirth called the UAE a “springboard for a global revolution in mobility” and emphasized that flying in Dubai is a “monumental step” towards integrating air cabs into everyday life.
Financial markets reacted positively to Joby’s progress: since the beginning of the year, the company’s shares have risen by more than 32%, and after the announcement of the trials in Dubai added another 12%. Joby’s market capitalization exceeded $9 billion.