Agreement overview
Joby Aviation, which is working on electric air taxis for commercial passenger flights, signed a memorandum of understanding with Red Sea Global (RSG) and The Helicopter Company (THC) at the Dubai Airshow 2025. This agreement outlines plans for Joby to conduct pre-commercial evaluation flights in Saudi Arabia in the first half of 2026.
Sandbox for operations
The partnership will create a “sandbox” for pre-commercial activities, acting as a platform to test air taxi services within the Kingdom. Joby will carry out representative flights focused on charging, airspace coordination, and ground communications, building on similar demonstrations conducted in the UAE earlier this year.
Partner perspectives
John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG, stated that the partnership promotes regenerative tourism by providing cleaner and more connected mobility options. Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC, characterised eVTOL aircraft as the future of urban passenger transport, emphasising the shared dedication to innovation. Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt mentioned that Saudi Arabia is rapidly adopting clean, quiet air travel and that Joby is applying its proven expansion strategy to new areas.
Regional expansion
The announcement comes after Joby’s partnership with the General Authority of Civil Aviation to assist with air taxi regulations in Saudi Arabia. It also expands on existing collaborations in Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai, and Kazakhstan, highlighting Joby’s overall plan to increase its presence in the Middle East and Central Asia.
Also Read: Dubai Airshow 2025: new Private Terminal in the works at Ras Al Khaimah Airport
