About
This page explains how two competing US eVTOL manufacturers — Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation — both operate in the United Arab Emirates without breaching each other's commercial agreements. Joby's exclusivity covers air-taxi services within the Emirate of Dubai. Archer's UAE programme runs through Abu Dhabi.
Joby's agreement with the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai was signed at the World Governments Summit on 11 February 2024 in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, granting Joby the exclusive right to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years from the start of commercial operations. Archer's UAE plan is built on its October 2023 framework with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and a March 2024 vertiport partnership with Falcon Aviation covering Falcon Heliport at Atlantis the Palm and Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi. Per Aviation Week (Oct 2025), Archer is targeting Abu Dhabi via local partnerships including Abu Dhabi Aviation, Etihad Aviation Training, JetEx and Air Chateau.
Key facts
Joby exclusive — territory
Emirate of Dubai (per RTA agreement, Feb 2024) [joby-rta-flying]
Joby exclusive — duration
6 years from commercial launch [joby-rta-flying]
Joby exclusive — signed
11 February 2024, World Governments Summit, Dubai [joby-rta-flying]
Joby exclusive — scope (per FlightGlobal)
RTA pact covers air-taxi services within metropolitan Dubai; defining the operation boundary requires the unpublished agreement text [flightglobal-2024-03]
Archer UAE — primary partner
Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) — framework agreement October 2023 [archer-falcon-pr-2024]
Archer UAE — vertiport partner
Falcon Aviation Services — vertiport network agreement signed 11 March 2024 [archer-falcon-pr-2024]
Archer UAE — vertiport endpoints announced
Falcon Heliport at Atlantis the Palm (Dubai) ↔ Marina Mall heliport (Abu Dhabi Corniche) [archer-falcon-pr-2024]
Archer UAE — additional Abu Dhabi partners (per Aviation Week)
Abu Dhabi Aviation, Etihad Aviation Training, JetEx, Air Chateau [aviation-week-2025-10]
Joby Abu Dhabi — additional MoU (April 2024 DriftX)
Joby signed multilateral MoU with Abu Dhabi DMT, ADDED, and Department of Culture and Tourism [flyingmag-driftx-2024]
Conflict zone identified
Archer's announced shuttle service from Atlantis the Palm to DXB and inter-emirate route into Dubai overlaps Joby's stated exclusive territory; neither operator has resolved this in primary publications [flightglobal-2024-03]
Federal regulator covering both
General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) — UAE-wide airworthiness and operator certification [aviation-week-2025-10]
Timeline
- 2023-10Archer Aviation signs framework agreement with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) — multi-hundred-million-dollar investment to commercialise Midnight in the UAE. [archer-falcon-pr-2024]
- 2024-02-11Joby Aviation signs definitive agreement with RTA Dubai at the World Governments Summit — exclusive 6-year air-taxi rights in Dubai from commercial launch. [joby-rta-flying]
- 2024-03-11Archer and Falcon Aviation announce vertiport partnership covering Falcon Heliport at Atlantis the Palm (Dubai) and Marina Mall heliport (Abu Dhabi Corniche). [archer-falcon-pr-2024]
- 2024-04At DriftX (Abu Dhabi), both Joby and Archer sign Abu Dhabi-government agreements: Archer with ADIO; Joby multilateral MoU with DMT, ADDED and Department of Culture and Tourism. Joby teases possible Abu Dhabi ↔ Dubai route, dependent on GCAA approval. [flyingmag-driftx-2024]
- 2025-07Archer begins flight-test campaign in Abu Dhabi using uncrewed 'Midzero' prototype. [aviation-week-2025-10]
- 2025-08Joby concludes phase 1 of UAE flight testing — 21 flights, full piloted transitions, hot-weather conditions. [aviation-week-2025-10]
- 2025-11-09Joby completes UAE's first piloted point-to-point eVTOL flight: Margham → Al Maktoum International (DWC), 17 minutes. [aviation-week-2025-10]
Practical info
Joby's territory
Emirate of Dubai (exclusive 6 years from commercial launch)
Archer's territory
Emirate of Abu Dhabi (and inter-emirate routes)
Joby Dubai signed
11 Feb 2024 (RTA, WGS)
Archer Abu Dhabi signed
Oct 2023 (ADIO framework)
Joby aircraft
Joby S4 — piloted, 4 passengers
Archer aircraft
Archer Midnight — piloted, 4 passengers
Both regulated by
General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), UAE federal level
Conflict point
Archer's Atlantis the Palm endpoint and inter-emirate route into Dubai vs Joby's exclusive scope
Regulatory status
Both operators sit under the federal General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for airworthiness and operator certification. Joby's exclusivity is contractual — between Joby and RTA Dubai — and applies to commercial air-taxi services in Dubai only. Archer's pact is with Abu Dhabi government bodies (ADIO) and operational partners (Falcon, Abu Dhabi Aviation). Inter-emirate routes require GCAA sign-off; per Joby founder JoeBen Bevirt at DriftX (April 2024), Joby has been collaborating with GCAA for six years on a framework that builds on FAA standards.
Current progress
As of May 2026, neither operator has launched commercial revenue service. Joby has flown piloted point-to-point in Dubai and reached technical completion at DXB Vertiport (Apr 2026). Archer is testing in Abu Dhabi with Midzero. The unresolved exclusivity conflict — particularly Archer's announced Atlantis the Palm endpoint — has not been clarified in any operator-IR publication from either company.
Connected entities
Routes
- Abu Dhabi Network — Route 1 (Abu Dhabi ↔ Dubai) · announced
- DXB ↔ Palm Jumeirah · planned
Frequently asked questions
Why can both Joby and Archer operate in the UAE despite Joby's exclusivity?
Joby's exclusivity applies to air-taxi services within the Emirate of Dubai under its agreement with RTA Dubai. Archer's UAE programme runs through Abu Dhabi via the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and Falcon Aviation. Both Joby and Archer can operate in the UAE because their primary territories are different emirates — but Archer's announced Atlantis the Palm endpoint creates an unresolved overlap with Joby's Dubai scope.
What does Joby's UAE exclusivity actually cover?
Per Joby's IR statements and FlightGlobal reporting on the unpublished agreement, Joby's exclusivity covers air-taxi services within the Emirate of Dubai for six years from the start of commercial operations. Archer has stated its understanding that the agreement does not cover its planned services. Neither side has published the agreement text.
Are Joby and Archer allowed to fly Dubai to Abu Dhabi UAE routes?
Inter-emirate routes between Dubai and Abu Dhabi require approval from the federal General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Archer has announced a Marina Mall (Abu Dhabi) to Atlantis the Palm (Dubai) corridor; Joby teased a possible Abu Dhabi to Dubai route at DriftX in April 2024. Neither inter-emirate route has launched commercially.
Did Joby's UAE exclusivity stop Archer entering the UAE?
No. Archer was already in talks with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office before Joby signed with RTA Dubai — Archer's ADIO framework agreement dates to October 2023, four months before Joby's RTA agreement of February 2024. Both companies' UAE programmes have continued in parallel.
Who regulates Joby and Archer's UAE eVTOL operations at the federal level?
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) regulates both Joby and Archer at UAE federal level, covering airworthiness and operator certification. Emirate-level transport authorities (RTA in Dubai, DMT in Abu Dhabi) handle the commercial operating franchises and infrastructure.
Is Joby's UAE exclusivity binding on Archer Aviation?
Joby's exclusivity is a commercial agreement between Joby and RTA Dubai. It is binding on RTA's allocation of operating rights in Dubai but not directly on third-party operators. The practical question is whether Archer can obtain operating rights in Dubai during Joby's exclusivity window — this has not been resolved in any primary publication from Joby, Archer, or RTA.
What aircraft will Joby and Archer fly in the UAE?
Joby will operate the Joby S4 — a piloted, all-electric eVTOL with one pilot and four passengers, top speed 200 mph (322 km/h). Archer will operate the Archer Midnight — a piloted, all-electric eVTOL with one pilot and four passengers, designed for short-range urban routes.
Sources
- [joby-rta-flying] Flying Magazine — Joby Aviation Signs Exclusive 6-Year Deal for Electric Air Taxi Service in Dubai (Feb 2024) official-news · accessed 2026-05-01
- [archer-falcon-pr-2024] Archer Aviation IR — Archer and Falcon Aviation to Jointly Develop Vertiport Network in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (11 Mar 2024) operator-ir · accessed 2026-05-01
- [flightglobal-2024-03] FlightGlobal — Archer stakes claim to Dubai eVTOL market despite Joby's exclusive deal (Mar 2024) official-news · accessed 2026-05-01
- [aviation-week-2025-10] Aviation Week — Archer, Joby Advance UAE Commercial Launches In 2026 (Oct 2025) official-news · accessed 2026-05-01
- [flyingmag-driftx-2024] Flying Magazine — Air Taxi Manufacturers Archer, Joby Set Sights on Abu Dhabi (DriftX, April 2024) official-news · accessed 2026-05-01
Verification flags
- The actual text of the Joby–RTA agreement is not public; territorial scope is reconstructed from Joby IR statements, RTA statements, and FlightGlobal's reporting (which itself notes Archer was 'assured no company has full exclusivity in Dubai').
- Archer's announced Atlantis the Palm (Dubai) endpoint and DXB shuttle are an unresolved overlap with Joby's stated exclusive territory. Neither operator has clarified this in IR publications.
- DriftX MoU between Joby and Abu Dhabi DMT/ADDED/DCT (April 2024) has not been published in full text; details rely on Flying Magazine reporting from the event.
- GPS set to a UAE midpoint (~24.93° N, 54.84° E) given the entity covers both emirates — answer-page entity, no single point.
- Joby and Archer commercial launch dates have both slipped from initial 2025 targets; current Aviation Week framing is 'late 2025 / early 2026' for Joby, 'late 2026' for Archer's UAE commercial launch — neither operator has confirmed a fixed date.