EVTOL AIRCRAFT JOBY AVIATION
Electric innovation
The soon-to-be public Joby Aviation acquired Uber’s Elevate business and has set its sights on launching commercial operations in 2024
ELECTRIC VERTICAL take-off and landing (eVTOL) manufacturer Joby Aviation has been developing its air taxi prototype since 2009, with more than 1,000 test flights successfully completed. The vehicle will carry four passengers and one pilot at 200mph over 150-mile distances. JoeBen Bevirt, (pictured) founder and CEO of Joby said: “Our long-term vision has been to build a global passenger service, helping a billion people to save an hour every day, while contributing to the protection of our precious planet."
Since December 2020, Joby has accelerated its path to large-scale operations by acquiring Uber’s Elevate air taxi business. This was funded by an additional $75m investment from Uber – as well as merging with a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) early in 2021.
It will go public via a merger with Reinvent Technology Partners, founded by LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, in a deal valued at $6.6bn. The agreement is expected to provide about $1.6bn in gross proceeds, which the company intends to use towards launching commercial operations by 2024. Joby hopes to achieve certification by 2023.
SCOTTSDALE & MARRAKECH
Luxurious locations
FBOs around the world are investing in new facilities in response to rapidly rising demand from travellers
PRIVATE JET travellers are enjoying new FBO facilities that offer Covid-secure luxury, a few steps away from their aircraft. Among a wide range of investments, Jet Aviation opened its new FBO and hangar facility at Scottsdale Airport, Arizona earlier this year. Jetex opened its VIP Terminal at Marrakech Menara Airport, Morocco last year.
Jet Aviation’s new 8,500 sq ft (790 sq m) FBO and 30,000 sq ft (2,787 sq m) hangar facility in Scottsdale were opened in January 2021. The design features passenger and crew lounges, pilot snooze rooms, conference room, meeting room and weather and flight planning facilities. The hangar can accommodate aircraft up to the size of the Gulfstream 650 and the Global 6000.
Jetex’s VIP Terminal in Marrakech brings the company’s total number of African locations to 16, including six FBOs. The exclusive space in Marrakech spans 10,764 sq ft (1,000 sq m) and was furnished with designer pieces by Zaha Hadid. The facility is complemented by 269,098 sq ft (25,000 sq m) of aircraft parking.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA Jet Aviation’s Scottsdale FBO offers private jet travellers exclusive luxury at one of the US’s busiest business aviation hubs.
MARRAKECH WELCOME Jetex’s VIP Terminal at Marrakech Menara Airport, Morocco welcomes travellers to the country that sees more than 10,000 private jet movements a year.
