FutureFlight
Joby Says It Is On Track to Launch eVTOL Air Taxi Services
The company sees the "first mile" of multimodal transportation networks involving eVTOL aircraft as being critical to public acceptance.
Joby Aviation S4 prototype
Joby Aviation is working to achieve FAA type certification for its four-seat eVTOL aircraft. (Photo: Joby Aviation)

Joby Aviation says it is on track with its plans to start commercial passenger flights with its eVTOL aircraft. Speaking at the Vertical Flight Society’s Electric VTOL Symposium on January 26, Eric Allison, the company’s head of product, said Joby intends to “double down” on implementing the business model defined by Uber’s Elevate division, which it has just acquired from the ridehailing group. 

Uber had intended that some limited-scale air taxi operations would begin in Los Angeles and/or Dallas during 2023. Joby, which was one of 10 manufacturing partners in the program, believes it can complete type certification in 2023 and be ready to begin operations in 2024.