Saudi Arabia Accelerates Next-Generation Travel with Electric Air Taxi Rollout in 2025
Riyadh and Jeddah poised to host electric vertical take-off and landing services as the Kingdom advances Vision 2030 mobility goals
Saudi Arabia is rapidly advancing its ambitions to become a global leader in next-generation urban travel by formalising a series of partnerships and regulatory initiatives designed to bring electric air taxi services to its cities and tourism hubs.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation has signed agreements with major U.S. advanced air mobility firms, including Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation, to establish the foundational regulatory framework, safety protocols and operational pathways that will support electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft in routine use across the Kingdom.
Under the arrangements, Saudi regulators plan to model their certification and airspace integration framework on proven standards from the United States, including the Federal Aviation Administration’s implementation pilot programme, to ensure global safety and interoperability as the service transitions from demonstration flights to commercial operations.
The collaboration with Archer includes proof-of-concept demonstrations and experimental flights in cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah and giga-projects such as Red Sea Global, with the aim of building public confidence and establishing infrastructure for regular air taxi operations.
Separately, a memorandum of understanding with Joby Aviation sets the stage for the rapid deployment of Joby’s electric air taxis, designed to carry passengers on short, zero-emission flights that can alleviate urban congestion and contribute to sustainable transport.
These efforts align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy to modernise urban mobility, expand transport connectivity and stimulate technological innovation within the Kingdom’s economy.
Officials emphasise that the introduction of electric air taxi services will not only reduce travel times across major metropolitan areas but also enhance links between airports, business districts and luxury resort destinations.
As Saudi Arabia continues to build its regulatory and operational ecosystem for advanced air mobility, the Kingdom is positioning itself at the forefront of a transformative shift in how people travel in urban and intercity environments.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation has signed agreements with major U.S. advanced air mobility firms, including Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation, to establish the foundational regulatory framework, safety protocols and operational pathways that will support electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft in routine use across the Kingdom.
Under the arrangements, Saudi regulators plan to model their certification and airspace integration framework on proven standards from the United States, including the Federal Aviation Administration’s implementation pilot programme, to ensure global safety and interoperability as the service transitions from demonstration flights to commercial operations.
The collaboration with Archer includes proof-of-concept demonstrations and experimental flights in cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah and giga-projects such as Red Sea Global, with the aim of building public confidence and establishing infrastructure for regular air taxi operations.
Separately, a memorandum of understanding with Joby Aviation sets the stage for the rapid deployment of Joby’s electric air taxis, designed to carry passengers on short, zero-emission flights that can alleviate urban congestion and contribute to sustainable transport.
These efforts align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy to modernise urban mobility, expand transport connectivity and stimulate technological innovation within the Kingdom’s economy.
Officials emphasise that the introduction of electric air taxi services will not only reduce travel times across major metropolitan areas but also enhance links between airports, business districts and luxury resort destinations.
As Saudi Arabia continues to build its regulatory and operational ecosystem for advanced air mobility, the Kingdom is positioning itself at the forefront of a transformative shift in how people travel in urban and intercity environments.
