Saudi Arabia's "Abdul Latif Jameel" group and US-based "Joby Aviation", which specializes in electric air taxis, announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to explore opportunities for distributing electric aircraft in the Kingdom, in a move aimed at boosting sustainable air mobility solutions in Saudi Arabia.
Under the agreement, the two parties intend to deliver up to 200 "eVTOL" electric aircraft, along with related services, worth nearly $1 billion over the coming years, while exploring expansion opportunities in other Middle East markets, according to a press release published on the Abdul Latif Jameel website.
The two companies see this cooperation as a strategic step toward a qualitative shift in the future of the mobility sector, through the development of more efficient, safe, sustainable and affordable air solutions, with a positive impact on the passenger experience and the environment. The "Jameel" family took part in the Series C funding round of "Joby Aviation", which was led by "Toyota".
Direct sales of aircraft through local business partners such as "Abdul Latif Jameel" are one of the main pillars of the expansion strategy of "Joby Aviation", alongside the company's direct operation of aircraft and related services in specific markets such as the United States, and entering partnerships to operate them in other markets such as Japan.
The first phase of cooperation between the two parties focuses on the Saudi market, where "Abdul Latif Jameel" has a wide operational network, giving it an ideal position to distribute the aircraft and their services and to launch local air taxi operations. The two parties also plan to develop an integrated ecosystem that includes after-sales services, from maintenance and repair to pilot training.
For his part, JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of "Joby Aviation", explained that this cooperation aims to launch American electric air mobility services worldwide, and affirmed that the partnership with "Abdul Latif Jameel" will contribute to delivering cleaner, safer and more efficient solutions for the future.
In this context, Hassan Jameel, Vice Chairman of "Abdul Latif Jameel" in Saudi Arabia, affirmed that the Kingdom is witnessing a qualitative transformation in the mobility sector, based on the concepts of on-demand, shared, connected and sustainable mobility. He noted that electric vertical take-off and landing "eVTOL" aircraft represent a key pillar of this transformation.
He added that the signing of the memorandum coincides with the 70th anniversary of "Abdul Latif Jameel" beginning to distribute "Toyota" cars in the Kingdom, and stated that "Abdul Latif Jameel" is a direct strategic investor in "Joby Aviation", alongside "Toyota", which led one of the previous funding rounds.
The fully electric "Joby Aviation" aircraft is designed to carry 4 passengers at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, offering high-speed, zero-emission travel with higher levels of comfort than conventional helicopters. The company plans to begin its first commercial flights in Dubai in 2026.
This cooperation comes in the context of Saudi efforts to promote urban transformation and achieve the goals of "Saudi Vision 2030", by supporting the sustainable mobility sector, providing quality jobs for citizens and driving social and economic growth across the Kingdom's regions.
To view the post on the Abdul Latif Jameel website, click here.
