News

ALJ & Joby Aviation To Bring Electric Air Taxis To Saudi Arabia

The partnership will explore introducing up to 200 electric aircraft to the Kingdom, revolutionizing urban mobility, and supporting Vision 2030 goals.

Published

1 year ago

June 10, 2025

Nour Nasir

Joby Aviation

Abdul Latif Jameel, a renowned 80-year-old multi-sector business group, and Joby Aviation, a leader in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly introduce and distribute electric air taxis in Saudi Arabia. The partnership aligns closely with the renewed economic collaboration between the U.S. and the KSA, emphasizing shared innovation and sustainable transportation.

The initial phase of the project could see the delivery of up to 200 Joby electric aircraft and related services, with a value of approximately $1 billion, over the coming years. The long-term vision extends beyond Saudi Arabia, with both companies recognizing broader potential for regional expansion across the Middle East.

This agreement builds upon an existing relationship, as the Jameel family previously invested in Joby’s Series C funding round, which was led by Toyota Motor Corporation in 2020. The collaboration reflects both companies’ mutual commitment to sustainable, efficient, and affordable air travel, as well as enhancing passenger experiences, and significantly reducing environmental impact.

Joby Aviation’s electric air taxi, capable of transporting four passengers at speeds up to 200 mph, operates with zero emissions and substantially less noise than traditional helicopters. The aircraft is expected to commence commercial passenger operations in Dubai in 2026.

JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “This collaboration is about bringing America’s leadership in electric air mobility to the world. Together with Abdul Latif Jameel, we’re not just imagining a cleaner, safer, more efficient future — we’re building it. And there is no better partner to help unlock the extraordinary opportunity for air travel in the region”.

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Hassan Jameel, Vice Chairman of Abdul Latif Jameel, emphasized Saudi Arabia’s strategic shift towards modern mobility solutions: “Saudi Arabia is transitioning toward a new era of mobility — on-demand, shared, connected, and sustainable. eVTOL is an exciting and important component of this transformation. We look forward to collaborating with Joby to advance the Kingdom’s mobility sector”.

In addition to distribution and sales collaborations, the partnership will also explore launching local air taxi services, developing essential maintenance and repair infrastructure (MRO), and establishing pilot training facilities. These initiatives directly support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by fostering economic growth, innovation, and employment opportunities for Saudi nationals.

News

Syria Just Got Its First Super App Featuring Built-In Digital Payments

Built by UAE-based Syrian founders with the Ministry of Tourism’s backing, My Syria lands as visitor numbers more than double.

Published

4 days ago

August 1, 2026

Nour Nasir

syria just got its first super app featuring built-in digital payments

For most of the past decade, paying for anything in Syria with an international card was effectively impossible. Sanctions, a collapsed banking sector, and years of isolation left the country running on cash. That is what makes the launch of My Syria — the country’s first super app — more than a routine product announcement.

Developed by 121 Living, a company founded by four UAE-based Syrian entrepreneurs — Rami Kaiem, Feras Kaiem, Waseem Qudmani, and Kinan Madi — the app launched in Damascus on July 30 under the patronage of Minister of Tourism Mazen Al-Salhani. It bundles hotels, restaurants, transport, attractions, food delivery, and other lifestyle services into a single platform, currently offering eight services with plans to expand to more than 40 verified tourism and hospitality providers across the country.

Although the app already sounds enticing, the headline feature is its built-in payments. My Syria is the first platform in Syria to support cross-border digital payments through Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — familiar tools for international visitors, and a route into the digital economy for local businesses that have long operated outside it.

my syria super app launch event

The launch rides on a sharp rebound for the troubled country. Syria’s tourism sector recorded 3.52 million visitor arrivals in the first half of 2026, a 111 percent increase over the 1.67 million during the same period in 2025 — a mix of returning expatriates, regional visitors, and international tourists.

Also Read: This UAE Platform Wants To Replace Fashion Photo Shoots With AI

The Ministry of Tourism, which supported and supervised the app’s development, frames the launch as proof of concept for a wider strategy. “Digital transformation is one of the Ministry’s strategic priorities because it enables us to build a more competitive, connected and investment-ready tourism sector,” Al-Salhani said, inviting technology companies “globally, regionally and locally” to explore opportunities across the wider economy.

For 121 Living, this is phase one, with additional services and expanded geographic coverage planned. Whether a super app can flourish in a market still rebuilding its infrastructure is an open question, but for the first time in years, a visitor to Damascus can pay for dinner with their phone.