First Electric Air Taxi To Finish Flights In K-UAM Grand Challenge

Joby announced it successfully completed the flight tests as part of the Korean K-UAM Grand Challenge to support the development of air taxi service in the Korean market.

The Challenge was launched in 2023 by the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT) to encourage the commercialization of air taxis in the country.

During the week-long contest, Joby successfully completed a range of missions to demonstrate various flight profiles and conditions including fully wing-borne flight. The company also displayed its ability to collaborate with potential Korean partners on aircraft operations ahead of the future launch of commercialization.

JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby said, “Completing our first flights in Korea marks a significant milestone towards launching operations in the Korean market, where our service has incredible potential to save people time and improve connectivity in densely populated cities like Seoul and more remote areas like Jeju Province, where natural barriers complicate ground transportation.”

Flights were conducted at the Goheung Aviation Test Center in South Jeolla Province, and the contest will culminate in a celebratory event on December 14 hosted by MOLIT, during which the quiet acoustic footprint of Joby’s aircraft will be showcased in front of more than 200 attendees including Korean and U.S. government agencies as well as distinguished guests.

Hyung Pil Jun, Korea’s Assistant Minister of Mobility and Motor Vehicles Bureau said, “Through the Grand Challenge, Joby Aviation, along with the K-UAM Dream Team including SKT, is showcasing the next generation of world-leading aviation capabilities by combining their world-class eVTOL aircraft with the Korean industry's technology on flight control, traffic management, and vertiport operations.”

FMI:  www.jobyaviation.com/