Joby and Jetex Launch Sustainable Air Taxi Service in Middle East
The collaboration ushers in electric air taxi services globally, starting with the Middle East.
The goal is to provide more sustainable, cleaner, and quieter travel options for those seeking efficient ways to navigate busy urban areas.
Joby Aviation, a California-based aviation company developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (VTOL), has partnered with Jetex, a world leader in private jet aviation, to integrate Joby's electric air taxis into Jetex's network of private terminals.
The partnership aims to make air travel more sustainable by introducing electric taxis for travellers, particularly in the Middle East, that produce no emissions.
Towards this end, Dubai and Abu Dhabi will be the first to see the collaboration take off. Joby will set up a Global Electric Aviation Charging System (GEACS) at these locations to power the electric air taxis. These taxis will transport passengers to vertiports, designated landing spots for vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
Jetex has committed to reducing its environmental impact by investing in sustainable practices such as renewable energy. This tie-up with Joby helps the airline firm up its sustainable ambitions by providing cleaner, quieter air travel options for passengers in urban areas, replacing other traditional high-emission aircraft such as helicopters.
READ MORE: World's 1st Hydrogen VTOL: Sustainable Air Travel
In Dubai, Joby has agreed with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to operate air taxis exclusively for six years. A vertiport is being constructed at Dubai International Airport for this purpose, facilitating air travel within the UAE by connecting Dubai to other destinations.
“At Jetex, sustainability is a key focus of our strategy, and our partnership with Joby represents an important step forward in achieving our vision of greener skies,” says Adel Mardini, Founder & CEO of Jetex. “We are committed to driving innovation that reduces our industry’s environmental impact, and integrating Joby’s electric air taxis into our network allows us to deliver cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable travel experiences, starting in the UAE.”
In Abu Dhabi, Joby has partnered with several local governments to operate air taxi services, linking Abu Dhabi with other Emirates.
These air taxis can carry five people—a pilot and four passengers—and travel at speeds of up to 200 mph (320 km/h). They emit no emissions and produce far less noise than helicopters, making air travel greener and more sustainable.
With Joby's initiatives in the pipeline, it is set to become the first certified air taxi operator in the UAE. To achieve this goal, the company must exhibit that its aircraft are ready for commercial use and meet the UAE's safety, training, and maintenance standards.
“Jetex’s exceptional operational standards and commitment to sustainability make them an ideal partner as we work to redefine urban air mobility,” says JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation. “With their strategically positioned terminals and focus on delivering unparalleled customer experiences, this collaboration is a significant milestone in advancing sustainable air travel in the region.”
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Source: Joby
