A delegation from the Netherlands recently traveled to California to study how the state is building the workforce and infrastructure for electric air taxis, culminating in a formal agreement to deepen international collaboration on advanced air mobility. The 10-day California x Netherlands 2026 Exchange brought together policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders from both regions to share best practices in aviation innovation, infrastructure planning, and sustainable transportation.

Why Are International Leaders Studying California's Air Taxi Ecosystem?

The Netherlands has built a global reputation for innovative approaches to transportation and sustainability, but the state of California is emerging as a hub for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft development. Companies like Joby Aviation are actively testing air taxi prototypes on the Central Coast, making the region an ideal destination for international observers seeking to understand how to scale this emerging industry.

The Dutch delegation visited multiple California locations between June 18 and 19, including Santa Cruz, Monterey, the Bay Area, and Southern California. The itinerary included policy discussions in Sacramento, tours of NASA Ames Research Center, live demonstrations of air taxi technology, and visits to aviation facilities and universities including UCLA.

What Specific Partnerships Are Being Formed?

During the visit to NASA Ames Research Center, three organizations signed a "Letter of Intent on Smart Air Mobility Cooperation." The signatories included the Monterey Bay Drone, Aviation and Robotics Technology (DART), Den Helder Airport in the Netherlands, and the Coast to Coast Foundation. This agreement establishes a framework for future collaboration on advanced air mobility, workforce development, infrastructure planning, technology demonstrations, and international knowledge exchange.

The letter of intent paves the way for a full Memorandum of Understanding, which may be presented in April 2027 during the Drive Forward Mission to the Netherlands. This timeline suggests that both regions are committed to formalizing their partnership and scaling collaborative efforts over the next year.

How Is California Building the Workforce for Air Taxis?

• Educational Partnerships: DART has partnered with Hartnell College and UC Santa Cruz's CITRIS Aviation program to develop workforce pathways, including the MsUAS Pathways Project, which trains students in drone operations and aviation maintenance.
• Regional Tech Hub: The Monterey Bay Tech Hub, co-founded by DART, is a regional coalition dedicated to advancing innovation across multiple fields of technology, including the emerging low-altitude economy.
• Industry Integration: DART connects industry leaders, colleges, and federal partners to build a talent pipeline for aircraft maintenance, drone operations, manufacturing, and eVTOL air taxi development.

The Central Coast portion of the exchange was hosted by DART specifically because of these established workforce development programs. The organization recognized that training the next generation of aviation professionals is essential to positioning the region as a leader in advanced air mobility.

"This exchange allowed us to learn from international leaders while showcasing the work taking place here on the Central Coast. It also highlights DART's partnerships, each helping create new workforce opportunities and position our region as a leader in the future of advanced air mobility and aviation innovation," said Josh Metz, executive director of Monterey Bay Drone, Aviation and Robotics Technology.

Josh Metz, Executive Director of Monterey Bay Drone, Aviation and Robotics Technology

The broader context of the exchange reflects a growing recognition that the "low-altitude economy" represents a significant opportunity for job creation and economic development. As eVTOL aircraft move closer to commercial operation, regions that develop skilled workforces early will have a competitive advantage in manufacturing, maintenance, and operations.

The Netherlands' interest in California's approach suggests that international governments are beginning to view air taxi development not as a distant future technology, but as an immediate priority requiring coordinated policy, infrastructure investment, and workforce preparation. By formalizing partnerships now, both regions are positioning themselves to lead the global transition to advanced air mobility.