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Joby To Launch High-Speed Air Taxi Service In Dubai
The agreement grants Joby exclusive rights to operate a fleet of air taxis in Dubai for six years, with operations beginning as soon as 2025.
Electric aircraft company Joby Aviation, has announced an agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to introduce air taxi services in the Emirate by early 2026, with plans for initial operations as soon as 2025.
The agreement, formalized at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, grants Joby exclusive rights to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years. The partnership aims to position Dubai as a global leader in swift, environmentally friendly, and noise-conscious air travel using Joby’s groundbreaking technology.
JoeBen Bevirt, CEO and founder of Joby Aviation, commented: “It is an honor to partner with the government of Dubai to demonstrate the value of sustainable air travel to the world. Today’s landmark agreement delivers on all three ingredients required to successfully launch an air taxi service – a definitive path to operations, well-placed infrastructure supported by dedicated partners, and an aircraft with the capacity and range to deliver meaningful journeys”.
Joby has also forged an agreement with Skyports, who are tasked with the design, construction, and management of four initial vertiport sites at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Dubai Downtown.
Joby’s aircraft, unveiled for the first time in the region at the World Governments Summit, is engineered to accommodate a pilot and four passengers, achieving speeds of up to 200 miles per hour for a projected travel time of just 10 minutes from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah, as opposed to the 45 minutes it takes by car.
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His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors for RTA, also released a statement, explaining, “The air taxi service is part of RTA’s efforts to embrace future transportation technologies and offers a novel and efficient mobility option for Dubai’s residents and visitors, enabling fast, safe, and convenient travel to key city spots. This service will also enhance seamless multimodal transportation, improving citywide connectivity and ensuring a smooth travel experience for passengers”.
In the future, RTA, Joby, and Skyports will integrate the service into Dubai’s broader public transportation network. Joby has established a local operating entity to bolster its operations in Dubai and plans to predominantly hire locally for its operational team. Additionally, the company is open to localizing other global business activities in Dubai and the surrounding region.
News
Space42 & Cobham Satcom Launch New Satellite Broadband Terminal
IP NEO has been engineered to provide uninterrupted, high-speed connectivity for sectors that rely on secure communication.
UAE-based SpaceTech firm Space42, has teamed with Cobham Satcom, a global player in satellite communications, to introduce IP NEO — a next-generation satellite broadband terminal built for reliability and security.
Developed through a collaboration between Cobham Satcom and Space42’s satellite solutions division, Thuraya, IP NEO is engineered to provide uninterrupted, high-speed connectivity for sectors that rely on secure communication. Its design, optimized for compactness and durability, ensures seamless data transmission across Thuraya’s network, making it a valuable asset for government agencies, NGOs, corporations, and even individuals operating in remote areas where traditional technologies may fall short.
As the exclusive provider of Thuraya 4 terminals for Space42, Cobham Satcom has also played a crucial role in building the ground infrastructure for the upcoming Thuraya 4 satellite network. This strategic integration reinforces Cobham Satcom’s standing as a leading global provider of L-band connectivity solutions.
Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Yahsat Space Services at Space42, emphasized the terminal’s strengths, stating: “IP NEO demonstrates our commitment to delivering secure, resilient, and future-ready satellite communication solutions. Built on robust L-band technology, the platform ensures reliable connectivity, even in the most challenging environments. Its compatibility with Thuraya 4 further strengthens its capabilities, enabling high-throughput speeds that meet the evolving demands of mission-critical operations”.
Designed to support critical applications such as internet access, video conferencing, surveillance, and VPN connectivity, IP NEO is built to withstand tough conditions, featuring water and dust resistance — ideal for use in extreme environments.
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Christophe Duret, CEO of Cobham Satcom, highlighted the impact of this innovation: “Along with Space42’s state-of-the-art Thuraya 4 satellite’s advanced capabilities, our new terminals for government and commercial end-users will provide the fastest standard L-band connectivity ever achieved, unlocking new opportunities for secure and resilient high-speed connectivity for demanding land and ocean environments”.
Part of Space42’s next-generation product lineup, IP NEO is designed for long-term adaptability and is fully compatible with the Thuraya 4 satellite. Once operational, Thuraya 4 will enable IP NEO to deliver speeds of up to 1024 kbps, along with simultaneous voice and data communication along with remote terminal access.
The official launch of IP NEO is set to take place at the 2025 SatShow (March 11-13, 2025), at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
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