Toyota-Backed Joby Aviation Set to Launch Commercial Air Taxi Service Next Year: The Sky Taxi Revolution Begins

The Dawn of Flying Cars: Joby Aviation's Revolutionary Leap

Have you ever dreamed of soaring above traffic jams in a flying taxi? Well, that dream is about to become reality sooner than you think! Joby Aviation, the pioneering American air taxi company backed by automotive giant Toyota, has just announced a game-changing expansion that will bring commercial air taxi services to major cities by 2026. This isn't science fiction anymore – it's the future of urban transportation, and it's happening right now.

JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, recently declared that the era of flying cars is imminent, with plans to launch commercial passenger services in Dubai, New York, and Los Angeles within the next year. The company has successfully completed test flights in Dubai and doubled its production capacity at its California facility, positioning itself as the global leader in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft industry.

What makes this announcement particularly exciting is the backing of Toyota Motor Corporation, which has invested a staggering $894 million in Joby Aviation to date. This partnership combines Joby's cutting-edge aviation technology with Toyota's legendary manufacturing expertise, creating a powerful alliance that could revolutionize how we think about urban transportation forever.

Toyota's Strategic Investment: A $500 Million Commitment to the Future

The partnership between Toyota and Joby Aviation represents one of the most significant investments in the emerging air taxi industry. In May 2025, Toyota completed the first $250 million tranche of a previously announced $500 million investment, making it Joby's largest strategic partner. This isn't just about money – it's about bringing Toyota's world-renowned production systems and quality control expertise to the aviation industry.

Ted Ogawa, CEO of Toyota North America, emphasized that this investment reflects their shared dream of mobility for all and commitment to achieving a future of air mobility. The collaboration goes far beyond financial backing, with Toyota engineers working side-by-side with Joby's production teams in California to streamline manufacturing processes and optimize aircraft design.

Under the new agreement, Toyota has been designated as Joby's preferred manufacturing partner, with rights to build, maintain, repair, and potentially even operate Joby's air taxis in Japan. This strategic alliance positions both companies at the forefront of what industry experts predict will be a multi-billion dollar market for urban air mobility services.

Production Expansion: Doubling Capacity for Commercial Launch

Joby Aviation has made tremendous strides in scaling up its manufacturing capabilities to meet the anticipated demand for air taxi services. The company recently announced a major expansion of its Marina, California facility, doubling its aircraft production capacity across a newly scaled 435,500-square-foot site. This expanded facility can now produce up to 24 aircraft per year, with plans to manufacture nearly one aircraft every two weeks once fully operational.

But that's not all – Joby is also modernizing its Dayton, Ohio facility, which is being prepared to produce up to 500 aircraft annually. This Ohio location will focus on component manufacturing and testing, creating a comprehensive production network that spans the United States. The company has also added a sixth aircraft to its test fleet, which received airworthiness certification within just one week of completion.

The expanded facilities will support not only aircraft manufacturing but also critical functions including FAA production certification, ground and flight testing, pilot training simulation, and aircraft maintenance – all essential components for launching commercial air taxi services. With hundreds of new employees being hired to support these operations, Joby is creating a robust ecosystem for the future of urban air mobility.

Dubai Test Flights: Proving Commercial Viability

One of the most significant milestones in Joby's journey toward commercial service has been the successful completion of piloted test flights in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. On June 30, 2025, Joby announced that it had conducted comprehensive flight tests of its eVTOL aircraft in Dubai, including piloted vertical takeoff and landing, wingborne flights, and the technically complex full transition flights.

These test flights were conducted in collaboration with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The success of these flights demonstrates Joby's commitment to being market-ready in the UAE by 2026, as part of its global commercial rollout strategy.

Joby's Dubai rollout plan envisions a comprehensive network of vertiports at the city's key transport, business, and leisure nodes, connected by urban air mobility services. Construction is already underway at Dubai International Airport (DXB) in collaboration with Skyports Infrastructure, with completion targeted for the first quarter of 2026. Initial service plans include connections between DXB, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Downtown Dubai, with a typical flight between DXB and Palm Jumeirah expected to take just 12 minutes compared to 45 minutes by car.

FAA Certification Progress: Leading the Industry

Joby Aviation has established itself as the industry leader in navigating the complex FAA certification process for eVTOL aircraft. The company has completed the second of five stages in the Federal Aviation Administration's certification process, making it the first advanced air mobility company to achieve this milestone. This puts Joby on track to debut commercial air taxi services as planned for 2025-2026.

In the certification process, Joby has successfully defined and received FAA acceptance of the safety rules that must be met for its aircraft to obtain certification. The company has also submitted all of its Certification Plans to the FAA, marking further progress toward completing the third of five stages required to certify its aircraft for commercial use.

Didier Papadopoulos, Head of Aircraft OEM at Joby, noted that certification is integral to everything an aerospace company does, and with the achievement of these critical milestones, they can now confidently focus on completing the remaining certification plans and testing required to certify their aircraft. The company's systematic approach to certification demonstrates its commitment to safety and regulatory compliance in the emerging eVTOL industry.

Global Competition: Hyundai's Supernal Chases 2028 Target

While Joby Aviation races toward its 2026 commercial launch, other major players are also making significant moves in the air taxi market. Hyundai Motor Group's subsidiary Supernal has unveiled its S-A2 electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, with plans to launch commercial passenger services by 2028. The S-A2 is designed to cruise at 120 mph at a 1,500-foot altitude, targeting suburban-to-inner-city travel with trips ranging from 25 to 40 miles.

Supernal has grown to a 600-person team and is leveraging Hyundai Motor Group's technical and business capabilities as it works toward commercial launch. The company plans to begin testing its technology demonstrator vehicles and submit its FAA application, followed by its proposal for means of compliance in 2025. The aircraft operates at about 65 decibels during takeoff and landing and just 45 decibels while cruising – about the same noise level as a dishwasher.

This competition highlights the growing momentum in the eVTOL industry, with multiple major automotive and aviation companies racing to bring air taxi services to market. The success of these early pioneers will likely determine the future landscape of urban air mobility and set the stage for broader adoption of flying car technology.

The Future of Urban Mobility: What This Means for Everyday Travel

The imminent launch of commercial air taxi services represents a fundamental shift in how we think about urban transportation. With Joby Aviation's aircraft designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph with minimal noise and zero emissions, these services could revolutionize daily commuting in major cities around the world.

The economic implications are equally significant. Industry analysts predict that the urban air mobility market could be worth hundreds of billions of dollars within the next decade, creating new jobs, industries, and opportunities for economic growth. The partnership between established automotive giants like Toyota and innovative aviation startups like Joby demonstrates how traditional industries are adapting to embrace transformative technologies.

For international observers, particularly those interested in Korean technology and innovation, this development represents a glimpse into the future of transportation that could soon arrive in Seoul and other major Korean cities. As regulatory frameworks evolve and technology continues to advance, the dream of flying cars is rapidly becoming a reality that will reshape urban landscapes and daily life across the globe. The question is no longer if air taxis will become commonplace, but when – and Joby Aviation's 2026 target suggests that future is arriving sooner than many expected.