In The Spotlight
Joby Aviation completes first piloted air taxi flights in Dubai
Joby Aviation, a pioneer in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has completed a landmark series of piloted wingborne flights in Dubai, marking its first operational demonstrations in the region and a major milestone in its global commercialisation plans.
The successful tests signal the start of Joby’s market readiness efforts in the UAE ahead of planned commercial passenger service by 2026.
The achievement forms a key part of Joby’s broader commercial strategy, which includes direct operations, aircraft sales, and regional partnerships. These Dubai test flights also represent a first in the eVTOL sector, with Joby leading efforts to bring advanced air mobility to one of the world’s most forward-thinking urban centres.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), attended the inaugural flights, underlining the strategic alignment between Joby and the RTA's long-term vision for sustainable, next-generation transport solutions. The milestone follows the 2024 agreement with the RTA, which granted Joby exclusive rights to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years.
Approval from UAE authorities
In close coordination with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), and the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Joby is now accelerating the integration of its service model into the emirate’s urban fabric. Initial flight routes are expected to link Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Downtown Dubai. A journey from DXB to Palm Jumeirah, for instance, would take just 12 minutes, significantly reducing travel time compared to the current 45-minute car ride.
Joby’s aircraft can carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph (around 320 km/h), all while operating with zero emissions and ultra-low noise. Designed for urban mobility, it offers a quieter, cleaner, and faster alternative for short-haul trips and cross-city commutes.
These flights also build on nearly two years of hot-weather testing at Edwards Air Force Base in the US and demonstrate Joby’s expanding operational readiness and logistical capabilities. With over 15 years of engineering development, more than 40,000 miles of test flights, and validated multi-aircraft operations, Joby is fast approaching its goal of making efficient, quiet, and sustainable air travel a reality.
“The United Arab Emirates is a launchpad for a global revolution in how we move,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation. “In addition to building a performant aircraft, we’ve also been maturing our program for anticipated passenger service with global operational capabilities and scalable, durable manufacturing. Our flights and operational footprint in Dubai are a monumental step toward weaving air taxi services into the fabric of daily life worldwide. With our visionary partners, we’re igniting a future where quiet, clean flight is the new normal, and we’re demonstrating the leadership of American innovation on the global stage.”
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer said, “The launch of the air taxi’s trial operation reflects UAE leadership’s vision to advance sustainable and innovative mobility across all public and shared transport modes. It underscores Dubai’s commitment to keeping pace with rapid global transformations and developing future-ready solutions to emerging mobility challenges.
“The air taxi will introduce a new premium service for residents and visitors seeking smooth, fast, and safe travel to key destinations across the city. The service will also strengthen integration with public transport systems and individual mobility options such as e-scooters and bicycles, enabling seamless multimodal travel and enhanced connectivity across Dubai, ensuring a smooth and convenient experience for all passengers.”
Also read: Air taxis to take-off in Saudi skies?
Aed Energy secures investment to scale thermal storage in MENA
Aed Energy has secured investment from Catalyst, the Masdar City and bp-backed accelerator dedicated to advancing climate technologies across the Middle East and beyond.
This funding will support Aed Energy’s expansion in the region and accelerate the deployment of its long-duration thermal energy storage systems.
As part of the partnership, Aed Energy will establish a branch office in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, reinforcing its commitment to developing decentralised energy, water, and cooling infrastructure across the GCC and wider MENA region.
The new office situates the company within a global centre for clean energy innovation and commercialisation.
Optimised operations
Catalyst, backed by Masdar City and bp, provides a strong platform for scaling practical, impact-driven technologies.
With access to strategic partners and deep regional expertise, Catalyst’s investment will help Aed Energy rapidly deploy its storage systems in markets where stable, dispatchable clean energy is crucial to meeting growing demand.
Aed Energy’s modular thermal batteries store surplus renewable electricity as high-temperature heat and deliver zero-carbon baseload energy on demand.
Suitable for applications in heat, power, and cooling, these MWh-scale systems are designed for reliable, low-maintenance operation.
Their flexibility makes them particularly effective in settings where conventional batteries underperform, including remote grids, heavy industry, and integrated energy–water–cooling systems.
Also read: Johnson Controls Arabia to supply cooling system for Saudi EV facility
Acciona's role in the future of wastewater treatment in Egypt
ACCIONA, along with local firm DHCU, obtained an €35mn (US$38.15mn) contract from Egypt’s Construction Authority for Potable Water and Wastewater (CAPW) so it can operate and maintain Phase II of Cairo's Gabal El Asfar wastewater treatment complex.
The eight-year agreement rehabilitates also upgrades two major plants within the facility so that they can each treat 500,000 m³ per day.
Gabal El Asfar is known to be the largest wastewater treatment complex located in Africa as well as the Middle East. This ranks it third globally, with a total capacity of 2.5 m³ per day.
Home to more than eight million residents, it serves the vital eastern part of Cairo.
ACCIONA’s already established footprint is further reinforced by this latest contract within Egypt’s water sector.
The company led the design, construction, and commissioning in a previous expansion phase at Gabal El Asfar in 2013, adding another 500,000 m³ to its daily capacity.
ACCIONA and DHCU were entrusted not too long ago in 2022 for Phase I's operation and improvement that handles 1.5 m³ of wastewater for each day.
Other developments
Beyond Gabal El Asfar, ACCIONA has partnered together with CAPW on additional projects, and this includes the water infrastructure operations for New Cairo.
The initiative collects water from the Nile River and then transports the water. It then purifies the water and distributes to consumers in the satellite city 30 kilometers east of the capital.
The company constructed five other major drinking water treatment plants throughout Egypt.
The Almerya, Rod el Farag, Mostorod, North Helwan I, and North Helwan II plants serve collectively over six million people because they have a combined capacity that exceeds 600,000m³ per day.
Within ACCIONA’s portfolio is the Bahr Al Baqr wastewater treatment plant. It is actually another key project that is located in northwestern Egypt.
It has 5.6 m³ capacity as one of the world’s largest, designed for high-quality water production for agricultural irrigation.
Additionally, ACCIONA operates several other wastewater facilities in Egypt as these facilities include those located in Abnoub-El Fath, Sodfa-El Ghanayem, El Ayat, and Abu Simbel.
Sustainable infrastructure and renewable solutions are led by ACCIONA globally.
They have been keeping to carbon neutrality since back in 2016.
Operations are maintained in more than 40 countries, also the company reported €19.19bn (US$21bn) in sales for 2024.
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HANNOVER MESSE
Venue:
Hannover
Dates:
17-21 April 2023
Website:
https://www.hannovermesse.de/en/