Here's What Joby Aviation Investors Have to Look Forward to in 2026
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By Courtney Carlsen – Dec 12, 2025 at 9:15AMKey PointsJoby Aviation plans to launch its passenger air taxi service in Dubai next year.Before operating in the U.S, it will need to obtain its FAA authorization.Once certified, Joby will need to ramp up its manufacturing to meet demand. These 10 Stocks Could Mint the Next Wave of Millionaires ›NYSE: JOBYJoby AviationMarket Cap$14BToday's Changeangle-down(1.61%) $0.25Current Price$15.81Price as of December 12, 2025 at 9:59 AM ETFlying-taxi services could be launched as early as next year, and Joby Aviation is leading the way.For years, people have dreamed of zipping around through the sky, navigating above the gridlock of the traffic below. That future of transportation is closer to becoming a reality, with Joby Aviation (JOBY +1.61%) paving the way. Joby builds electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs), also known as flying taxis. The company has been developing this technology for over 15 years, and next year could be a significant one. That's because, for the first time, its flying taxis will carry paying customers. If you own the stock or are considering owning it, here's what 2026 has in store for the company. Joby plans to launch commercially in 2026 Joby has targeted a 2026 launch of its initial commercial passenger service in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), as part of its six-year exclusive agreement in that market. The company plans to carry fare-paying passengers in Dubai in partnership with the Road and Transport Authority (RTA). It also expects to complete construction of its first vertiport at Dubai International Airport by the end of the first quarter. ExpandNYSE: JOBYJoby AviationToday's Change(1.61%) $0.25Current Price$15.81Key Data PointsMarket Cap$14BDay's Range$15.37 - $15.9752wk Range$4.96 - $20.95Volume171KAvg Vol39MGross Margin-11490.90%Dividend YieldN/A Investors will want to monitor this and ensure the company is on track for a launch, which would pave the way for expanded commercial operations. This would be a huge step toward generating revenue and improving its finances. In the third quarter, the company lost $401 million, and it has accumulated a deficit of nearly $2.7 billion since its inception.Advertisement FAA certification is another milestone The agreement with the RTA includes a road map for local approval by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). This will likely occur before Joby completes the Federal Aviation Administration Type Inspection Authorization (TIA), another milestone investors will want to monitor. The TIA is important because it is viewed as the final stage before certification. Here, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must determine that the eVTOL can fly and land safely, manage power, and protect passengers in the event of a system failure. This stage encompasses flight testing, software verification, review of electric propulsion, and adherence to redundancy standards. Only after type certification can a company begin aircraft production at scale and operate commercially. FAA pilots are expected to start for-credit flight testing next year, but certification may not be achieved until 2027. A Joby Aviation air taxi. Image source: Joby Aviation. Looking further out on the horizon If the urban air-mobility economy takes off like Joby expects it can, then it will need aircraft, and a lot of them. The company sees scaling up manufacturing as a crucial bottleneck that could hinder its ability to meet demand in launch markets such as Dubai. For this reason, Joby is seeking to rapidly expand its production process. The company has a factory in Marina, California, that will be important for ramping up production. It's where the company designs, builds, and tests components, systems, and the assembly of its aircraft, refining its designs and honing its production process. This factory will support Joby's early stage low-rate production plans. Meanwhile, it is also planning a plant in Dayton, Ohio, that will be vital to its high-volume production in the future. Joby Aviation is making strong progress toward beginning commercial operations in Dubai as early as next year. This would be a significant milestone, validating its product and ultimately helping it generate revenue after years of research and development investment. That said, it will take time to expand its commercial operations, which could be constrained by near-term production capacity. The company also needs FAA certification before operating in the U.S., which could take another year or two. Joby is an exciting company in an emerging industry, but it still has significant work ahead of it over the next few years.About the AuthorCourtney Carlsen is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering financial, real estate, industrial, and energy stocks.
Before The Motley Fool, Courtney was a lead senior auditor for the State of Florida. He holds a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Florida.TMFCourtCarlsenRead NextDec 10, 2025 •By David Jagielski, CPAWill Joby Aviation's Stock Take Off in 2026?Nov 30, 2025 •By Steven PorrelloPrediction: Joby Stock Will Soar Over the Next 10 Years. Here's 1 Reason Why.Nov 27, 2025 •By George Budwell, PhD2 Unstoppable Growth Stocks I'd Buy NowNov 24, 2025 •By John Bromels2 Things Every Joby Aviation Investor Needs to KnowNov 22, 2025 •By Steven PorrelloShould You Buy Joby Aviation Before 2026?Nov 17, 2025 •By Leo SunIs Joby Aviation the Smartest Investment You Can Make Today?