Can Joby's Texas Air Taxi Flights Unlock Its Next Commercial Phase?

Joby Aviation says it expects to start eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) flights in Texas in September 2026, with operations spanning about a week across the Dallas–Fort Worth area. The flights are meant to test readiness while Joby continues Federal Aviation Administration certification progress. Under the eIPP framework, Joby plans to move from pilot-only operations to nonpaying passengers and then to paying customers, though type certification remains required for broader U.S. commercial service. Joby reported completing or substantially completing three of five FAA stages and being about 75% through the fourth as of the second quarter, plus work toward the final stage.