Regulations and Government
Saudi Regulator To Accept FAA Approval for Joby’s eVTOL
Joby has also flown a hybrid, autonomous version of the aircraft
Joby in Dubai
© Joby

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has agreed to accept the FAA’s certification standards for Joby’s eVTOL aircraft. According to the U.S. manufacturer, the memorandum of understanding signed by the local regulator on November 12 will result in “a streamlined approval process” for launching air taxi services in the country.

GACA’s decision is expected to facilitate Joby’s existing partnership with Saudi company Abdul Latif Jameel, which has expressed interest in buying up to 200 of the four-passenger eVTOL vehicle. Under a deal announced in June, the family-owned group, which was an early investor in Joby, would become the manufacturer’s local distributor.