Joby initiates UAE air operator certification
Joby Aviation has begun its Air Operator Certificate application in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The move positions Joby to potentially become the first certified air taxi operator in the country, and follows a similar process the company completed in the US to attain its Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate from the FAA.
Joby founder and CEO, JoeBen Bevirt (pictured left) met with Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (pictured right) this week at the International Civil Aviation Organization’s first AAM Summit, in Montreal, Canada. There Bevirt presented Joby’s letter of intent to initiate the application.
“There is incredible momentum behind the adoption of clean flight across the UAE, and we’re excited to be working with a wide range of partners, including the GCAA, to lay the groundwork for one of the world’s first electric air taxi networks, delivering fast, clean and quiet journeys using our revolutionary aircraft,” said Bevirt.
In February 2024, Joby signed an agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch air taxi services in the Emirate of Dubai. Two months later the firm expanded its partnership with the UAE through a multilateral deal involving Abu Dhabi’s departments of tourism and economic development. The expanded agreement laid the basis for Joby to launch air taxi services in Abu Dhabi and beyond.
H.E Saif Al Suwaidi said: “The letter of intent for the operator certificate application from Joby marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s journey towards becoming a global leader in eVTOL operations. Our readiness to support these advanced technologies underscores our commitment to fostering advanced air mobility solutions that will be part of the future of transportation in the UAE and beyond.”
Issued by the GCAA, the Air Operator Certificate is required to operate commercial air transport in the UAE. Joby will follow a five-stage application process that will include development of a full complement of air taxi operating manuals and undergoing inspections of its UAE-based facilities.
