Video Shows Pioneer Flight in Race to Start Electric Air Taxi Service

The United Arab Emirates has taken another jump in the race to launch an electric air taxi service, completing its first test flight in Dubai with California-based Joby Aviation.

Newsweek has reached out to Joby Aviation for comment.

Why It Matters

The Middle East’s most tech-driven nation is racing to bring flying taxis to the skies, with its federal capital Abu Dhabi and commercial hub of Dubai each backing separate U.S. companies. As a key business ally of the United States and President Donald Trump — along with his family business — the UAE is putting American technology at the center of the global push for urban air mobility—potentially opening new international markets for U.S. aerospace firms.

Two Joby air taxis (N541JX and N544JX) flying simultaneously in the skies over Marina, CA.

Joby Aviation photo/AP

What To Know

Dubai has successfully conducted the region’s first test flight of the Joby Aviation air taxi, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai announced Monday on his account on X, formerly Twitter.

Dubai has successfully completed the region’s first test flight of the Joby Aerial Taxi. Conducted through a collaboration between the Roads and Transport Authority and Joby Aviation, the test flight marks a major step toward launching full operations next year. The all-electric… pic.twitter.com/HPknqvNBwD

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) June 30, 2025

According to the Dubai government’s media office, the flying taxi would reduce a 45-minute trip to just 12 minutes, focusing on transport within the city.

Joby is developing a zero-emission, four-passenger eVTOL that can reach 200 mph and fly up to 100 miles on a single charge. It was the first eVTOL company to receive airworthiness approval from the U.S. Air Force in 2020.

While Abu Dhabi positions itself to become the first Middle Eastern city to operate flying taxis, aircraft testing is expected to begin later this year. The capital recently received flight simulators from U.S.-based Archer Aviation, focusing on routes between cities in a key step in preparations and pilot training.

Both Joby and Archer plan to launch their air taxi services first in their home state — California.

What People Are Saying

Dubai crown prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on X: “This pioneering project is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the UAE’s position as a global hub for innovation and advanced technology deployment.”

Anthony el-Khoury, Joby Aviation’s General Manager for the Middle East wrote on LinkedIn: “After months of preparation, I’m incredibly proud to share that our aircraft has been flying piloted, inhabited flights in the skies of Dubai. This marks a major milestone—not just for aviation, but for our vision of bringing aerial taxis to life in this city. What was once a bold ambition is now becoming a reality. A huge thank you to the amazing teams in Dubai and the US who worked relentlessly to make this possible.”