Joby Aviation is establishing its first major operational hub in Texas and preparing to launch its first federally-authorized test flights in September 2026, signaling that electric air taxis are moving from concept to reality. The California-based company signed a lease for 45,000 square feet at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport in Haslet, positioning itself to conduct early operations across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex as part of the federal eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP).

Why Is Joby Choosing Texas for Its First Major Hub?

Texas represents one of the most promising markets for electric air taxi services in the United States, and Joby's decision to anchor operations there reflects both regulatory support and infrastructure readiness. The Fort Worth facility sits within AllianceTexas, a 27,000-acre development that already hosts 602 companies and has generated an estimated $142.9 billion in economic impact for the North Texas region since 1989. Perot Field itself is the world's first industrial airport purpose-built for cargo and corporate aviation, giving Joby access to established aviation infrastructure and a skilled regional workforce.

The location also connects Joby with the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone, a public-private partnership designed to advance transportation technologies. This ecosystem brings together industry innovators, policymakers, and infrastructure partners focused on integrating air and surface mobility solutions. For Joby, this means access to regulatory support from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), both of which are backing the broader eIPP initiative.

"Establishing a presence in Texas puts Joby in one of the most exciting markets in the country. This site gives us a base to demonstrate the value of air mobility services across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and the state," said Greg Bowles, Chief Policy Officer at Joby Aviation.

Greg Bowles, Chief Policy Officer at Joby Aviation

What Does the September Timeline Mean for Joby's Certification Progress?

The September 2026 target for first eIPP flights represents a major milestone in Joby's path to commercial operations. The company is currently in Stage 5, the final stage of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification, which it entered on March 11, 2026. During this stage, Joby is conducting flight testing with conforming aircraft built to designs already approved by the FAA for Type Inspection Authorization.

Joby's manufacturing progress has accelerated significantly. The company now has five aircraft flying and another 12 in production, with two additional deliveries planned during 2026. This manufacturing ramp is split between California and Ohio facilities and is being reinforced through a joint venture with Toyota announced on June 30, 2026, which is intended to prepare commercial-scale production of the S4 aircraft.

The company also maintains its target of carrying its first passengers before the end of 2026, a goal that depends on completing type certification and securing operational approvals from the FAA. The eIPP program, established by presidential executive order, allows participants to operate aircraft that have not yet received full type certification under agreements negotiated directly with the FAA, generating operational data to inform future rulemaking.

How Is Joby Building the Infrastructure Needed for Air Taxi Operations?

• Ground Infrastructure Partnership: Joby announced a partnership with Atoms, an industrial AI and infrastructure firm founded by Travis Kalanick, to develop multimodal transport hubs across its US launch markets, addressing the critical need for ground-level connectivity between air taxi services and other transportation modes.
• Regional Collaboration: The Texas eIPP project involves multiple operators including Archer Aviation, Beta Technologies, and Wisk, with the goal of eventually linking Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston through coordinated air mobility services.
• Financial Runway: Joby reported $2.3 billion in cash and short-term investments as of June 30, 2026, and expects to use between $385 million and $415 million in the second half of the year to support operations, manufacturing, and infrastructure development.

The Fort Worth facility itself will serve as an operational base for demonstrating air taxi services and managing the company's presence across the Dallas-Fort Worth region. By locating within the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone, Joby gains access to multimodal transportation infrastructure that connects air operations with ground-based logistics and passenger services.

What Are Joby's Financial and Operational Metrics Heading Into the Critical Fall Period?

Joby reported its strongest quarterly progress to date in Stage 5 certification during the second quarter of 2026. The company generated $36.2 million in revenue from Blade, the helicopter operator it acquired in 2025, and raised its full-year 2026 revenue guidance to between $115 million and $125 million. This revenue provides a foundation while the company works toward commercial air taxi operations.

The company's cash position of $2.3 billion provides substantial runway for the critical months ahead. With planned spending of $385 million to $415 million in the second half of 2026, Joby has sufficient capital to support manufacturing ramp-up, certification activities, and infrastructure development without immediate pressure to raise additional funding.

Joby's founder and chief executive JoeBen Bevirt framed the company's progress as turning electric vertical flight "from an extraordinary technology into an everyday reality," emphasizing that advances in certification, partnerships, infrastructure, and commercial readiness are converging. The Texas hub and September flight timeline represent tangible evidence of that transition.

The next few months will be critical for Joby and the broader eVTOL industry. September flights will generate real operational data under the eIPP program, informing FAA rulemaking and demonstrating to regulators and the public that electric air taxis can operate safely in real-world conditions. Success in Texas could accelerate timelines for other eIPP projects across the 26 states that have approved pilot programs, potentially reshaping urban and regional transportation within the next few years.