One electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft project that has reached a more advanced stage comes from Joby Aviation.
The advanced air mobility startup has already completed several steps in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification process and its prototypes have already flown thousands of miles during flight tests. This includes a successful demonstration flight in New York City in November 2023.
Much like fellow Californian competitor Archer Aviation, Joby has identified the Middle East as the ideal launch pad for its eVTOL aircraft.
The company has entered a partnership with neighboring Dubai to operate what could become the first urban advanced air mobility network in the world and has also signed a deal with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).
So, it should come as no surprise that Saudi Arabia also features prominently in Joby Aviation’s plans.
On May 21, 2024, the eVTOL developer signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mukamalah, the aviation arm of Saudi oil giant Aramco, to roll out operations in the Kingdom.
The deal was announced during the Future Aviation Forum, which took place in Riyadh between May 20 and 22, 2024, where Joby Aviation also displayed a full-scale mockup of its S4 eVTOL aircraft.
During the forum, AeroTime met with Oliver Walker-Jones, Head of Marketing, Communications & Brand at Joby Aviation, and was given a tour of the aircraft’s cabin and cockpit, as well as an explanation of some of the features onboard the aircraft.
Find out more in the following video: