Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Nov 20 — Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY), a company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, today announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Red Sea Global (RSG) and The Helicopter Company (THC) that include plans for Joby to complete pre-commercial evaluation flights of its electric air taxi in the Kingdom in the first half of 2026.
Under the agreement, Joby will work together with RSG, the developer behind regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and AMAALA, and THC, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company and Saudi Arabia’s premier commercial helicopter operator, to establish a “sandbox” for pre-commercial operations. The sandbox will serve as a base for the evaluation of potential air taxi operations in the region with Joby conducting representative flights with charging, airspace integration and ground communications, similar to the flights Joby completed in UAE earlier this year.
John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global, stated, “At Red Sea Global, we are Committed to redefining sustainable travel and setting new standards for innovation within the Kingdom’s tourism and mobility sectors. Partnering with THC and Joby to explore the integration of eVTOL aircraft into our destinations aligns perfectly with our vision for regenerative tourism, creating cleaner, faster, and more connected ways for guests to experience the beauty of Saudi Arabia.”
“eVTOL is emerging as the future of urban passenger transportation, and with the right partners, we are glad to be a key part of ensuring that Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of this transformation in aviation,” said Captain Arnaud Martinez, the CEO of THC. “Our partnership demonstrates confidence in emerging technologies, and a shared commitment to shaping a smarter, more connected tomorrow, together.”
“Saudi Arabia continues to lean in on the adoption of fast, clean and quiet air travel,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation. “We continue to leverage our proven market playbook by partnering with government and local operators to streamline expansion into new regions and prepare for the launch of the next generation of air mobility.”
The new partnership comes on the heels of Joby’s announcement last week that it would collaborate with the General Authority of Civil Aviation to support the development of the Kingdom’s air taxi regulatory framework, using Federal Aviation Administration certification standards as a foundation.
Joby continues to expand its footprint in the Middle East and Central Asia. In September, the company announced a long-term collaboration with the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority and Skyports Infrastructure to launch a passenger air taxi service network in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah by 2027. As part of a six-year exclusive agreement, the company is also planning to start air taxi operations in Dubai in 2026. Additionally, Joby announced in November the company signed a letter of intent to sell aircraft and services valued at up to $250 million to Alatau Advance Air Group, a company dedicated to introducing air taxis to Kazakhstan.