UK soon with electric air taxis?

Joby Aviation is partnering with Virgin Atlantic to introduce electric air taxis to the UK.

But Joby did not give a timeline for when it plans to launch the partnership with Virgin in the UK.

A company spokesperson said it would come sometime after testing begins in the United Arab Emirates and the US.

It is reported that Joby hopes to begin testing in Dubai late this year or early next year after delivering the first eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft in the country, reports Telegraph.

It had also planned to launch a commercial service in the US in 2025, but that timeline could be pushed back as Joby works to obtain the necessary certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration.

In October 2024, the company said it was close to receiving type certification – which means approval of the vehicle's design.

And it should get the certificates in the UK as well.

Otherwise, Joby's eVTOL is designed to carry a pilot, four passengers, and some luggage.

It promises to fly at speeds of up to 321km/h, making a flight from Leeds to Manchester a 15-minute journey.

The company has stated its intentions to launch an air taxi service in the US, UK, UAE, South Korea, Japan, India and Australia. /Telegraph/