UAE aviation regulator reviews air taxi certification with Joby and Archer at California facilities
Why It MattersDirect regulator engagement with both leading eVTOL developers signals the UAE is moving certification and operating rules toward their planned 2026 launches, ahead of most other markets.
The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) reviewed aircraft certification and airworthiness requirements with Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation during separate visits to the companies' facilities in California. The delegation was led by Aqeel Al Zarooni, assistant director general for Aviation Safety Affairs, and included senior representatives from the authority's Flight Operations and Airworthiness teams. It held separate sessions with each company, along with technical workshops covering certification, airworthiness and operational matters linked to each air taxi programme. The GCAA said the visits let it discuss the requirements directly with both companies and follow up on the latest developments and next steps for air taxi operations in the UAE, as part of its ongoing cooperation with them.
Joby signed a definitive agreement with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority in February 2024, giving it exclusive rights to run air taxi services in the emirate for six years, with a commercial launch targeted for 2026. Archer has partnered with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, and its Midnight aircraft completed its first UAE test flight at Al Bateen Executive Airport, just days after Joby's test flight in Dubai. Abu Dhabi is Archer's first planned launch market. Both companies have completed piloted flights, and Archer's longest covered about 55 miles in 31 minutes.
The GCAA has previously said air taxi certification in the UAE would be completed in the third quarter of 2026. Joby's UAE team has said passengers will be carried only once all safety and certification requirements are met, including an Air Operator Certificate from the GCAA.
