Eversheds Sutherland Advised Joby Aviation on the Launch of Electric Aerial Taxis in Dubai

Eversheds Sutherland Advised Joby Aviation on the Launch of Electric Aerial Taxis in Dubai

The service is likely to commence in the Emirate by 2025

Global law firm Eversheds Sutherland has advised Joby Aviation, a California-based aviation company on the launch of one of the world’s first electric aerial taxi services in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The vehicle, operated by the company, is meant to carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. This means that a flight from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah would take merely 10 minutes compared with 45 minutes by road.

Nasser Ali Khasawneh, the partner and global head of the technology media and telecoms sector of Eversheds Sutherland expressed that it was an incredibly exciting project for the firm to work on and an opportunity to bring varied capabilities to the fore.

He added, “We’re thrilled to have helped Joby Aviation realize its ambitions. The opportunity has been an occasion for several ‘firsts’, particularly related to the legal innovation involved to fully accommodate a new regulatory regime for flying taxis on a commercial basis. The Dubai Road and Transport Authority and Joby Aviation would work together to launch the service.”

Displaying his pleasure, Mustafa Rizvi, the deputy general counsel of Joby Aviation stated, “The successful delivery of this exciting, cutting-edge aviation service speaks for the quality of the innovative and technically excellent legal input that Nasser Ali Khasawneh, Andrew Garbett and the Eversheds Sutherland’s team applied. We are extremely pleased with the law firm in supporting us throughout this complex transaction. They executed and delivered beyond our expectations. We look forward to future collaborations.”

Eversheds Sutherland advised on the contractual and commercial arrangements between Joby Aviation and the Road and Transport Authority (RTA). It secured immense support from the RTA to develop a regulatory regime and accommodate a cutting-edge form of transport.

Joby Aviation has also signed an agreement with Skyports, which will design, build and operate four vertiport sites across Dubai. The RTA, Skyports and Joby have collaborated to identify Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai as the launch locations for the air taxi service.

The Eversheds Sutherland team guiding the Joby Aviation venture was led by partners Nasser Ali Khasawneh and Geraldine Ahern. They were supported by principal associates Andrew Garbett and Christine El Khoury.