Joby Aviation announced on Wednesday that it is set to commence flight testing of its first all-electric air taxi after receiving Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for the first aircraft build at its Pilot Production Line in California.
The aircraft will undergo initial flight testing before being delivered to Edwards Air Force Base in California in 2024, where Joby said it would be used to demonstrate a range of potential logistics use cases.
The company intends to commence commercial passenger operations in 2025 and has partnered with Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) to provide emissions-free transport to and from airports for Delta customers.
“Today’s achievement is the culmination of years of investment in our processes and technology and it marks a major step on our journey to scaled production,” commented Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt in a statement.
The company also announced the appointment of Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM) North America CEO Tetsuo Ogama to its board of directors, effective July 1, 2023.
Toyota is the company’s largest external shareholder, having invested $400 million to date, and the two companies recently signed a long-term agreement for the supply of powertrain and actuation components.
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