Technology & Innovation
Joby Aviation Advances Toward Commercial Air Taxi Service with Final Assembly
Joby Aviation enters final assembly of its first conforming eVTOL aircraft, moving closer to FAA certification and commercial air taxi launch.
Joby Aviation’s announcement that its first conforming aircraft has entered final assembly represents a pivotal moment in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) industry, marking significant progress toward the Federal Aviation Administration’s Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) flight testing phase. This development positions the Santa Cruz-based company as an industry leader in bringing electric air taxis to commercial passenger service, with expectations that company pilots will begin flying the aircraft in 2025, followed by FAA pilots conducting direct performance and safety evaluations. The milestone is the culmination of over a decade of rigorous development, extensive component and system testing, and FAA acceptance of more than half of the company’s test plans, establishing a clear pathway to certification and commercial operations. With a robust financial position of $991 million in cash and strategic partnerships, including a recent $125 million acquisition of Blade Air Mobility’s passenger business, Joby is strategically positioned to capitalize on a rapidly expanding market valued at $3.5 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $27 billion by 2034.
This article explores Joby Aviation’s technological journey, regulatory progress, financial strategy, and competitive positioning in the rapidly evolving eVTOL sector. It also examines the broader implications of this milestone for the urban air mobility market and the future of sustainable transportation.
Joby Aviation has established itself as a frontrunner in the eVTOL sector, evolving from a venture-backed startup into a company at the forefront of electric flight technology. Over the past fifteen years, Joby has systematically addressed the engineering challenges involved in creating a commercially viable electric aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing. The company’s aircraft is designed for a pilot and four passengers, targeting speeds up to 200 mph, with a focus on high-speed, low-noise, zero-emission urban mobility.
Joby’s development strategy is marked by vertical integration, designing, manufacturing, and testing aircraft components in-house. This approach ensures quality control and accelerates development, enabling rapid iteration based on regulatory and test feedback. By maintaining oversight of critical systems, Joby has been able to adapt quickly to the FAA’s evolving certification requirements, a key factor in its current leadership position.
Technologically, Joby’s aircraft leverages advanced electric propulsion, lightweight materials, and a multirotor configuration optimized for urban operations. The design prioritizes quiet operation, with noise levels significantly lower than traditional helicopters, addressing one of the main barriers to public acceptance of urban air mobility. Manufacturing takes place primarily in Marina, California, with recent expansion supported by a partnership with Toyota Motor Corporation, which brings world-class manufacturing expertise to the project.
“The integration of Toyota’s production methodologies with Joby’s advanced design is streamlining manufacturing and optimizing quality, positioning both companies at the leading edge of electric flight.”, Joby Aviation CEO JoeBen Bevirt
This collaboration with Toyota extends beyond capital investment, incorporating lean manufacturing techniques and quality control systems adapted for aerospace applications. The partnership is central to Joby’s strategy for scaling production to meet anticipated commercial demand.
Joby Aviation has made unprecedented progress through the FAA’s five-stage type certification process, becoming the first eVTOL manufacturer to complete three of the five required stages. Certification is a rigorous process, demanding comprehensive demonstration of safety, performance, and manufacturing quality before commercial operations can begin. Joby is now 70% complete with stage four on the company side, and over 50% complete on the FAA side.
The Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) phase, for which Joby’s first conforming aircraft is now in final assembly, is the final major step before certification. During TIA, FAA test pilots directly evaluate the aircraft’s performance and safety, transitioning from theoretical compliance to practical demonstration. This process includes both ground systems testing and flight operations, providing regulators with a complete picture of the aircraft’s behavior under all expected conditions. Recent milestones include successful static load testing of primary aerostructures with FAA oversight, validating structural integrity and compliance. Human factors are also a focus: four FAA test pilots recently completed multi-day evaluations using FAA-conforming cockpit hardware, assessing pilot workload, ergonomics, and operational safety. These achievements demonstrate Joby’s ability to meet stringent regulatory standards across all aspects of aircraft design and operation.
“Joby is the first eVTOL manufacturer to complete three of five FAA certification stages, setting a new benchmark for the sector.”
Joby’s vertically integrated manufacturing has been instrumental in this progress, enabling the company to implement design changes and process improvements rapidly as identified during testing. This direct control over manufacturing and quality assurance is particularly important given the complexity of integrating advanced electrical, battery, and flight control systems.
Joby Aviation’s financial health is a cornerstone of its ability to sustain long-term development and certification efforts. As of the second quarter of 2025, the company reported $991 million in cash and short-term investments, providing significant operational flexibility. This strong balance sheet is supported by a strategic alliance with Toyota, which has already delivered a $250 million tranche of investment, with potential for additional funding as milestones are met.
The acquisition of Blade Air Mobility’s passenger business for up to $125 million is a major strategic move, giving Joby immediate access to urban air mobility infrastructure, including terminals, lounges, and a customer base of over 50,000 passengers. Blade’s established presence in New York City, Southern Europe, and other key markets accelerates Joby’s transition from development to commercial operations.
Financial metrics reflect the capital-intensive nature of aircraft development. While gross margins are reported at 80.2 percent, returns on assets and equity remain negative, consistent with the heavy upfront investment required before revenue generation begins. The company’s conservative debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04 further demonstrates prudent financial management, ensuring flexibility and reducing risk as Joby approaches commercial launch.
“Joby’s acquisition of Blade provides instant access to infrastructure and customers, accelerating the path to commercial operations.”
Blade’s CEO Rob Wiesenthal will continue to lead the passenger business, ensuring operational continuity while integrating Joby’s technology and systems. The deal structure includes performance-based milestones and employee retention provisions, aligning incentives for successful integration and growth.
Beyond Blade and Toyota, Joby has secured additional partnerships and contracts, including a $131 million agreement with the United States Air-Forces for early production deliveries. These relationships not only provide financial support but also validate Joby’s technology and operational readiness.
The eVTOL market is one of the fastest-growing segments in aviation, with valuations expected to rise from $3.5 billion in 2024 to $27 billion by 2034. This growth is driven by urbanization, congestion, environmental concerns, and advances in electric propulsion and autonomous systems. Multirotor aircraft like Joby’s currently make up about half of the eVTOL market, favored for their simplicity, adaptability, and safety redundancy. Urban air mobility, of which eVTOLs are a central component, is projected to grow from $4.31 billion in 2024 to over $10 billion by 2029. Cities worldwide are investing in infrastructure such as vertiports and integrating air taxis into transportation planning. The U.S. is expected to lead adoption, with cities like Los Angeles and Dallas at the forefront of pilot programs and infrastructure development.
Joby’s primary competitors include Archer Aviation, Beta Technologies, Lilium, and Volocopter. While each pursues different technical and market strategies, Joby’s lead in FAA certification and its strong financial and strategic partnerships provide a significant competitive edge. Internationally, Joby’s exclusive operating rights in Dubai and partnerships in Asia and Europe position it for rapid global expansion as regulatory frameworks mature.
“The eVTOL market is projected to grow at a 23.5% CAGR, reaching $27 billion by 2034.”
The industry is characterized by high barriers to entry, technological, regulatory, and financial, which favor well-capitalized companies with established government and industry relationships. Joby’s progress in certification, manufacturing, and market access sets a benchmark for others in the sector.
Joby’s commercial readiness has been validated through successful pilot flights in Dubai, marking the first piloted eVTOL operations in the region. These flights, conducted in partnership with local authorities, demonstrate operational maturity and readiness for commercial passenger service, expected to launch in Dubai in 2026. The Dubai network will connect key destinations such as the international airport, Palm Jumeirah, and downtown, with vertiport construction already underway.
The Dubai operations are part of a broader strategy that includes direct operations, aircraft sales, and regional partnerships. Early production deliveries to the U.S. Air Force and agreements with partners like Abdul Latif Jameel and ANA for potential fleet deployments illustrate Joby’s multi-faceted approach to market expansion. These partnerships leverage local market expertise while Joby focuses on manufacturing and technology leadership.
The integration of Blade’s infrastructure provides immediate access to major urban markets, enabling Joby to introduce electric air taxi services to an established customer base. Manufacturing scalability is supported by facility expansions and Toyota’s expertise, with production capacity expected to double to 24 aircraft annually. This aligns with initial deployment needs and provides a foundation for scaling as demand grows.
“Joby’s Dubai flights and Blade acquisition provide real-world validation of commercial eVTOL operations, crucial for global expansion.”
Joby’s operational systems have been tested in a variety of environments, including hot-weather performance in Dubai and at U.S. military bases, ensuring readiness for diverse deployment scenarios. The company’s three-pronged commercialization strategy, direct operations, sales, and partnerships, positions it to capture value across multiple segments of the emerging urban air mobility market.
Joby’s advancement to final assembly of its conforming aircraft signals the maturation of the eVTOL industry and the imminent reality of electric air taxi service. Analysts project exponential market growth as commercial services launch and supporting infrastructure is deployed. The sector is expected to disrupt traditional helicopter markets and drive innovation in batteries, charging, air traffic management, and pilot training. Urban planning and public policy are being reshaped by the prospect of air taxis, with cities investing in vertiports and integrating eVTOLs into broader transportation networks. Regulatory convergence, led by the FAA and mirrored by international authorities, is enabling global market development and standardization.
Technological advances in batteries and autonomous systems are being accelerated by the demands of eVTOL operations, with spillover benefits for other sectors. Environmental considerations are central, as electric aircraft offer zero operating emissions and lower noise, supporting sustainability goals in urban environments.
Joby’s success will influence regulatory approaches, investor confidence, and public acceptance, shaping the trajectory of the entire industry. The performance of early commercial deployments, such as those planned in Dubai, will provide critical data and operational experience, informing the next phase of market growth and technological evolution.
Joby Aviation’s progression to final assembly of its first conforming aircraft is a defining milestone, not only for the company but for the entire eVTOL industry. The achievement reflects more than a decade of systematic development, rigorous testing, and proactive regulatory engagement. With FAA certification progress ahead of competitors, strong financial backing, and strategic alliances with industry leaders like Toyota and Blade, Joby is uniquely positioned to lead the transition to commercial electric air taxi service.
The broader significance of Joby’s milestone is its validation of the eVTOL sector as a viable solution to urban mobility challenges. As the company moves toward commercial launch, its experience and operational models will inform industry standards and global expansion, setting the stage for a new era of sustainable, efficient urban transportation.
What is a conforming aircraft? When will Joby’s air taxi service be available to passengers? How is Joby different from other eVTOL companies? What role does Toyota play in Joby’s operations? Which cities will see Joby’s air taxis first?
Joby Aviation’s Path to Commercial Air Taxi Service: Final Assembly Milestone Signals Industry Leadership
Company Background and Technology Development
Federal Aviation Administration Certification Progress
Financial Position and Strategic Investments
Market Context and Competitive Landscape
Commercial Readiness and Global Expansion
Industry Implications and Future Outlook
Conclusion
FAQ
A conforming aircraft is one built to the exact specifications required for regulatory certification, enabling it to be used in official flight testing by authorities such as the FAA.
Joby expects its pilots to begin flying the conforming aircraft in 2025, with commercial passenger service targeted for launch after FAA certification, potentially as early as 2026.
Joby leads the industry in FAA certification progress, has substantial financial backing, vertically integrated manufacturing, and strategic partnerships with companies like Toyota and Blade Air Mobility.
Toyota is both a major investor and a manufacturing partner, providing expertise to help scale production and ensure quality control for Joby’s aircraft.
Initial commercial operations are planned for Dubai and select U.S. cities, with expansion to other global markets as regulatory approvals are secured.
Sources
Photo Credit: Joby Aviation