Joby Aviation is partnering with Virgin Atlantic to introduce electric flying taxis to the UK.
Joby did not provide a timeline for when it plans to launch its partnership with Virgin in the UK, but it is said to be after the service launches in the UAE and the US.
Joby hopes to begin testing in Dubai late this year or early 2026, after delivering its first eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft to the country. The company also planned to launch commercial service in the US (in New York or Los Angeles) in 2025. However, there may be delays as it is currently trying to obtain the necessary certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration.
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Joby will need to obtain certification from the UK to import electric flying taxis into the country. The company has applied to have its aircraft certified for use by the UK Civil Aviation Authority in July 2022.
Joby Aviation's impending partnership with Virgin Atlantic came to light nearly seven months after TechCrunch first reported that the two companies had plans to collaborate.
Joby is said to be Virgin's exclusive airline distribution partner in the UK. The company also has an exclusive deal with another airline, Delta, in the US and UK, but the partnership with Virgin falls under that existing deal because Delta owns about half of Virgin.
Electric flying taxis
Joby’s deal with Delta promises to give customers access to a premium service that will take them from local vertiports directly to the airport. (Vertiports are facilities where eVTOLs take off, land, and charge.) Joby Aviation’s partnership with Virgin Atlantic promises a similar network of landing sites across the UK. However, it will start by connecting passengers from the airline’s hubs at London Heathrow and Manchester Airport.
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According to the companies, Virgin customers will be able to book a seat on Joby's aircraft through the Virgin Atlantic app and website.
Partnering with airlines is one of the main ways eVTOL manufacturing companies plan to launch into the market.
Such deals often involve investments from airlines. Delta, for example, has already invested $60 million in Joby and will invest even more if Joby delivers on its promises. An investment is not part of Joby’s deal with Virgin, according to a Joby spokesperson.
In a statement, Virgin said it would support Joby's efforts to advance the market in the UK by promoting the electric flying taxi service to customers, working with regulators and helping to "build support for the development of landing infrastructure at key airports."
Joby's eVTOL is designed to carry a pilot, four passengers, and some luggage. It flies at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour.
Although we don't know exactly when the air taxi service will launch, Joby has stated its intentions to operate in the US, the UK, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Japan, India, and Australia.
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Advantages of electric flying taxis
1. Sustainable Air Transport
- Electric air taxis significantly reduce emissions CO₂ compared to traditional aircraft or helicopters.
- They contribute to the transition of the aviation industry to greener solutions.
2. Faster Travel
- They allow quick and seamless travel to and from airports, avoiding traffic on the roads.
- Their flights are quiet and efficient, improving the passenger experience.
3. Reducing Traffic Congestion
- They replace time-consuming car or bus journeys, especially in big cities like London.
- They contribute to improving traffic and reducing road accidents.
4. Strengthening Innovation and New Technologies
- It encourages the development of electric and autonomous air transport.
- It creates new jobs in fields such as engineering, artificial intelligence and air traffic management.
5. New Business Opportunities
- It attracts investment in the eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft.
- It paves the way for a new type of urban and regional air transport.
6. Improving the Passenger Experience
- It offers a premium travel experience with less hassle and waiting.
- It can reduce the cost of transportation, making air taxis an affordable option in the future.
Source: techcrunch.com
