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

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.