- The First Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) Aircraft
- Commercial Air Taxi Service
Joby Aviation, an American aviation technology company, has obtained a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificate to operate commercial air taxi service. This makes it the first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer to receive such approval from the FAA.
The certificate was granted after Joby completed more than 1,200 test flights of its eVTOL aircraft, which are designed to take off and land vertically without the need for a runway. The company plans to launch its commercial air taxi service in 2024.
Joby’s eVTOL aircraft are powered by electric motors and batteries, which makes them quieter and more environmentally friendly than traditional aircraft. The company says its aircraft are also much safer than traditional helicopters, as they are designed to fly without the need for a human pilot.
Joby plans to launch its commercial air taxi service in select markets in 2024. The company has not yet announced which cities will be included in its initial rollout.