Joby Aviation To Launch Electric Air Taxi Test Flights In Saudi Arabia

• Joby noted that the sandbox will serve as a base for evaluating potential air taxi operations in the region.
• Saudi Arabia joins the U.S., the U.K., Japan, South Korea and the UAE as another key launch market for Joby's air taxi service.
• In September, the company announced a long-term collaboration with the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority and Skyports Infrastructure to launch a passenger air taxi service network in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah by 2027.

Joby Aviation (JOBY) said on Wednesday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Red Sea Global and The Helicopter Company that includes plans for Joby to complete pre-commercial evaluation flights of its electric air taxi in Saudi Arabia in the first half of 2026.

The company said that under the agreement, Joby will work together with Red Sea Global, the developer behind regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and AMAALA, and The Helicopter Company, a Public Investment Fund company and Saudi Arabia’s commercial helicopter operator, to establish a "sandbox" for pre-commercial operations.

Joby noted that the sandbox will serve as a base for evaluating potential air taxi operations in the region, with Joby conducting representative flights that include charging, airspace integration, and ground communications, similar to the flights it completed in the UAE earlier this year.

Shares of Joby, which develops electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, were up nearly 2% in premarket trading.

Use Of FAA Certification

The new partnership announced on Wednesday comes following Joby's announcement last week that it would collaborate with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to support the development of the Kingdom's air taxi regulatory framework, using Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification standards as a foundation.

According to a new memorandum of understanding with GACA, Joby will use FAA certification standards as a foundation to create a streamlined approval process for Joby’s aircraft in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia joins the U.S., the U.K., Japan, South Korea and the UAE as another key launch market for Joby's air taxi service.

Joby’s Expansion In The Middle East

In September, the company announced a long-term collaboration with the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority and Skyports Infrastructure to launch a passenger air taxi service network in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah by 2027.

Joby had noted that as part of a six-year exclusive agreement, the company is also planning to start air taxi operations in Dubai in 2026. Joby, in November, said that the company signed a letter of intent to sell aircraft and services valued at up to $250 million to Alatau Advance Air Group dedicated to introducing air taxis to Kazakhstan.

Retail sentiment on Joby remained unchanged in the ‘bearish’ territory, with message volumes at ‘low’ levels, according to data from Stocktwits.

Shares of Joby have gained nearly 125% in the last 12 months. 

For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

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