Joby expands aircraft manufacturing in US weeks after Dubai test flight takes off

Dubai: US-based air taxi developer Joby Aviation has expanded its manufacturing footprint in California and Ohio, while also completing its first electric air taxi test flight in Dubai, signaling rapid progress both in production and international operations.

The company has doubled its manufacturing capacity at its Marina, California site, which now spans over 435,000 square feet. This expanded facility is designed to support the production of up to 24 aircraft a year—roughly one every two weeks—and will also handle pilot training, aircraft maintenance, FAA certification processes, and component testing.

The company also added a sixth aircraft to its fleet, which received airworthiness certification within a week of completion, marking a key milestone in Joby’s flight testing program.

“Reimagining urban mobility takes speed, scale, and precision manufacturing,” said Eric Allison, Chief Product Officer at Joby. “Our expanded footprint in California and Ohio is preparing us to do just that.”

At the same time, Joby is ramping up its Dayton, Ohio facility—a newly renovated plant that will manufacture and test components for the company’s pilot production line. Once fully operational, this site is expected to produce up to 500 aircraft annually, significantly increasing the company’s capacity as it moves closer to commercial launch.

Joby’s manufacturing operations now span multiple locations across the United States. The company’s headquarters and system architecture are based in Santa Cruz, California, while its powertrain and electronics work is handled out of San Carlos, California.

In Marina, California, Joby carries out final aircraft assembly, testing, and pilot training, supported by a newly expanded facility. Meanwhile, its Dayton, Ohio site focuses on component production and is being prepared to support large-scale aircraft manufacturing in the near future.

Joby’s California expansion has received strong government support. In 2023, the company secured a $9.8 million grant from the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and a $10 million cost-savings program through the State Treasurer’s Office. The Marina site is expected to create hundreds of full-time jobs as Joby scales production.

Earlier this month, Joby successfully completed the first test flight of its fully-electric air taxi in Dubai, a major milestone in the UAE’s efforts to introduce urban air mobility by 2026. The flight marks a critical step under Joby’s six-year exclusive agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), signed in February 2024.

The company hopes that air taxis will help ease road congestion in Dubai by offering faster and more sustainable alternatives for urban travel. Joby’s aircraft, which take off and land like helicopters, have been praised for their emissions-free operation and potential to cut travel time drastically.

Joby’s stock has surged over 32% this year, boosting its market valuation to more than $9 billion. Global demand for electric air taxis continues to grow as cities seek cleaner, smarter transportation alternatives. While regulatory approvals remain a hurdle, the sector is progressing quickly.

In a related move, former US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in June launching a pilot program to test electric air taxis, further pushing the technology into the mainstream.

Meanwhile, California-based Archer Aviation also completed test flights of its Midnight eVTOL aircraft at Abu Dhabi’s Al Bateen Executive Airport, underscoring the UAE’s position as an early adopter in the global race to bring air taxis to market.