Sonali Tiwary
Karmactive Team
Joby Aviation announced plans to participate in a new federal program that will allow their electric air taxis to begin limited operations in select US markets before receiving full certification. The White House eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) aims to help advanced air vehicles start flying sooner while gathering important safety data.
“President Trump has long recognized the significance of America’s leadership in the next era of aviation and this initiative ensures our nation’s leadership will continue,” said Greg Bowles, Joby’s Chief Policy Officer. “We’ve spent more than 15 years building the aircraft technology and operational capabilities that are defining advanced aerial mobility, and we’re ready to bring our services to communities.”
The eIPP stems from a June 2025 executive order directing the Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration to accelerate the integration of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The program will run for three years, with proposals due in 90 days and selections expected within 180 days.
Joby appears well-positioned for the program, having logged over 40,000 flight miles and completed nearly 600 flights in 2025 alone. The company has reached stage four of the FAA’s five-stage certification process and expects to fly its first FAA-conforming aircraft this year, with FAA pilot testing beginning in early 2026.
The California-based company is expanding its manufacturing capabilities at two locations. Its 435,000-square-foot facility in Marina, California plans to double production capacity to up to 24 aircraft per year. Additional manufacturing is underway in Dayton, Ohio to support larger-scale production.
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Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy highlighted the program’s potential impact: “The next great technological revolution in aviation is here. By safely testing these futuristic air taxis, we can fundamentally improve how people and products move.” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford added that “lessons learned from these projects will enable safe, scalable advanced air mobility operations nationwide.”
Joby isn’t alone in joining the program. Competitor Archer Aviation also plans to participate and is exploring partnerships with United Airlines for trial operations. These early operations will focus on use cases like passenger transportation, cargo delivery, and emergency response services.
For everyday travelers, this means electric air taxis could soon provide a new transportation option in select cities. These quiet, electric aircraft can take off and land vertically like helicopters but fly more efficiently over longer distances.
Joby is already working with state and local governments in Texas, Florida, Ohio, New York, California, and other states. Communities interested in partnering with Joby can contact the company through a dedicated email address.
The eIPP represents a significant step toward making air taxis a reality in American cities. While full commercial service still awaits complete FAA certification, these early operations will help build public trust, establish safety protocols, and create the foundation for wider adoption of this new form of transportation.
As these pilot programs take flight, they’ll generate valuable data on everything from airspace integration to community acceptance – critical factors in determining how quickly electric air taxis become a practical transportation option for the American public.
