Joby Aviation, a pioneer in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ), a prominent Saudi Arabian conglomerate, to explore the distribution of up to 200 eVTOL aircraft valued at approximately $1 billion over the coming years. This collaboration signifies a substantial step toward integrating sustainable air mobility solutions within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The MoU outlines a framework for Joby and ALJ to collaborate on introducing Joby’s eVTOL aircraft into the Saudi market. This partnership aims to leverage ALJ’s extensive regional expertise and infrastructure to facilitate the adoption of zero-emission air transportation solutions.
Paul Sciarra, Executive Chairman of Joby’s Board and co-founder of Pinterest, emphasized the strategic importance of this alliance, stating, A question that folks have asked is, how are you going to monetize, and how quickly is that going to happen? And I think what this shows is that with direct sales, there is a way to get to scale earlier for lower cost by thinking about distributor partners in given geographies. And this is the first of what we hope are a number of announcements on that front.
ALJ’s longstanding relationship with Toyota, which has invested significantly in Joby, further strengthens this partnership. ALJ has been the exclusive distributor of Toyota vehicles in Saudi Arabia since 1955, establishing a robust infrastructure for sales, support, pilot training, and maintenance—critical components for the successful deployment of Joby’s aircraft.
Hassan Jameel, Deputy President and Vice Chairman of Abdul Latif Jameel, highlighted the alignment of this initiative with the Kingdom’s sustainability goals, stating, Through JIMCO’s investment, Abdul Latif Jameel is leveraging its regional expertise for Joby Aviation. Air taxi service is still in the early stages of commercialization, but one that has the potential to completely transform the future of mobility. We are excited to be a part of this new chapter for the sector, bringing fast, affordable, and zero-emissions air mobility to Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region. Improving daily transportation in line with environmental sustainability is a mission we share with all our partners in business, and one which we are committed to delivering on.
This partnership aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes sustainability and economic diversification. By introducing eVTOL aircraft, Joby and ALJ aim to contribute to the Kingdom’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.
Joby’s eVTOL aircraft are designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph (321 km/h), offering high-speed mobility with significantly reduced noise compared to traditional helicopters and zero operating emissions. In November 2023, Joby’s aircraft became the first air taxi to fly in New York City, marking a significant milestone in urban air mobility.
The collaboration between Joby and ALJ is expected to expedite the adoption of eVTOL technology in Saudi Arabia, providing a sustainable and efficient mode of transportation that aligns with the Kingdom’s environmental objectives.
