FLYING CARS ARE HERE—AND JOBY AVIATION IS LEADING THE CHARGE

Flying cars are no longer the stuff of cartoons or sci-fi dreams. Santa Cruz-based Joby Aviation is turning the impossible into infrastructure, rapidly building real, piloted electric air taxis and setting the global stage for a transportation revolution.

The company just expanded its 435,000-square-foot production facility in Marina, California, where it's now capable of manufacturing up to 24 aircraft a year—two every month. With additional scaling happening in Dayton, Ohio, and successful piloted test flights in Dubai, Joby is moving fast—and with purpose.

The goal? Commercial air taxi operations by 2026.

🌎 Global Strategy, Local Manufacturing
“Reimagining urban mobility takes speed, scale, and precision manufacturing,” said Eric Allison, Joby’s Chief Product Officer.

While competitors are stuck on renderings, Joby is rolling real aircraft off real production lines. Their electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft are FAA-cleared, whisper-quiet, and can reach 200 mph. Each model carries 1 pilot + 4 passengers, ideal for short, high-value routes like Dubai Airport to Palm Jumeirah in just 12 minutes.

Their Ohio site is even more ambitious—Joby plans to produce 500 aircraft per year, bolstered by state incentives and Toyota-trained engineers.

🇦🇪 Dubai Takes Off First
Though made in the U.S., Joby's first commercial flights will happen in Dubai, which granted them exclusive air taxi rights for six years. A new vertiport is under construction at Dubai International Airport, and the UAE’s Roads and Transport Authority is all-in.

“The air taxi will introduce a new premium service for residents and visitors seeking smooth, fast, and safe travel,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of RTA. “It will also strengthen integration with public transport and individual mobility.”

Dubai’s commitment reflects its push toward smart, tech-integrated urban planning—from robotaxis to AI-driven infrastructure.

🛠️ More Than a Prototype—It’s a Production Line
Joby’s difference is clear: this isn’t a prototype company. It's a manufacturing powerhouse. At their Marina site, aircraft components are created via 3D printing, checked with data-driven QA systems, and assembled with help from a Toyota-trained workforce. The factory even includes pilot simulators and FAA-certification labs.

With the Dayton plant in motion, Joby is positioning itself not only as a flying car manufacturer—but as the future Tesla of the sky.

💡 Why It Matters
Joby isn’t just building flying taxis—they’re redefining how cities move. In a world where road congestion is surging and climate concerns are growing, Joby’s eVTOLs could provide a faster, quieter, cleaner alternative for short-haul urban travel.

The next few years will answer a crucial question: Can the world scale air taxis fast enough—and are cities ready to adapt?

If Joby keeps moving at this pace, the sky might just become our next highway.