Joby Seeking Final-Phase Testing for Five Air Taxis in 2026

Air taxi startup Joby Aviation Inc expects to have five aircraft in one of the final phases of certification next year as it aims to start commercial flights in early 2026, according to its chief executive officer.

“Through the course of ’26, we are going to be bringing more aircraft and building out progressively,” Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt said in an interview. He said that next year the company will likely have five aircraft undergoing the US Federal Aviation Administration’s Type Inspection Authorisation testing, which is needed to start commercial service in the US.

“We only need one to start air tours and we need two to start a route, especially if it’s an airport route,” he said, speaking on the sidelines of an industry conference in Detroit.

Joby plans to start commercial passenger services in Dubai by early next year, after having previously targeted the end of this year. 

Last month, it announced the completion of piloted test flights in the United Arab Emirates city. Certification for flight operations by the FAA and regulators in other countries is still pending.

The Santa Cruz, California-based company is among a handful of startups developing eVTOL aircraft — electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles — to fly customers on short commuter journeys via battery-powered air taxis.

Joby announced earlier this month plans to double production capacity at its plant in Marina, California, to manufacture up to 24 aircraft per year. The company also said it’s installing equipment to make aircraft parts at a new facility in Ohio, which it had previously expected to bring on line last year.

Bevirt said Joby is targeting cash flow from outright aircraft sales, operating its own aircraft and also from partial ownership ventures.

“You’re gonna see revenue from all three of those,” he said, declining to say which would come first and by when.

Joby is working closely with engineers from Toyota Motor Corp to fine tune its manufacturing operations, he said. The Japanese carmaker has pledged to invest nearly $900mn in the company and recently became its top shareholder.

The CEO said Joby has no immediate plans to raise more cash.