PROGRAMME TO SUPPORT EARLY AIR TAXI OPERATIONS

Joby Aviation has been selected as a partner in multiple winning applications under the White House-backed Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). The initiative is intended to accelerate the integration of electric air taxis into U.S. communities.

Through the programme, Joby has the opportunity to begin early operations across ten U.S. states, including Arizona, Florida, Idaho, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Utah.

The eIPP was established through a Presidential Executive Order and is designed to bring together the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Department of Transportation (DOT) and local authorities to streamline regulatory coordination and infrastructure development required for the integration of new aircraft technologies.

MULTI-STATE OPERATIONS PLANNED

Several state and regional initiatives involving Joby were selected under the programme.

In Florida, a statewide effort will include phased operations covering cargo delivery, passenger transportation, automation and medical response.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will collaborate with Joby on operational concepts that include air taxi passenger services at the Manhattan heliport.

In Texas, the programme aims to support operations linking Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and eventually Houston through regional air taxi networks.

Other selected initiatives include projects led by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, which will explore regional and medical operations, and the Utah Department of Transportation, which will test next-generation aircraft concepts across several western U.S. states.

NEXT STEPS FOR PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

The selected applications will now move into the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) stage, during which agreements and operational details will be finalised. Flights are expected to begin within 90 days of the OTA contracts being finalised.

Joby is currently progressing through the certification process with the Federal Aviation Administration. The company’s first FAA-conforming aircraft for Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) is expected to fly soon as part of the certification pathway.

The company has also stated that it plans to scale production to four aircraft per month by 2027, supported by expanded manufacturing facilities in Marina, California and Dayton, Ohio.