02:12 30-12-2025

Joby Aviation teams with Metropolis to build 25 U.S. vertiports for eVTOL air taxis

The U.S. air-taxi market is gathering momentum. Amid a new federal initiative to integrate eVTOL aircraft into the airspace, major players are preparing not only the vehicles themselves but also the infrastructure they will need. Joby Aviation said it plans to deploy 25 vertiports across the country in partnership with Metropolis, the largest parking-network operator in North America.

The plan takes a practical route: vertiports will be set up on selected existing Metropolis sites, with the New York area serving as the starting point. There, passengers are promised premium-level baggage handling and a smoother ground experience—crucial for a true door-to-door service. Another advantage for Joby is that Metropolis already runs facilities with digital access and recognition systems, which can be scaled for future operations.

Notably, the early phase is essentially about strengthening current air corridors, the ones served by helicopters and amphibious aircraft, rather than immediately shifting to full eVTOL operations. The logic is clear: infrastructure and customer demand can be nurtured now, with electric aircraft joining as certification and the business model mature. That measured approach looks like the sensible way to build trust without getting ahead of the technology.

Joby has been developing its aircraft for years. By the known parameters, it carries four passengers plus a pilot, offers a range of about 160 km, and can reach up to 322 km/h thanks to six electric motors. Interest has been bolstered by Toyota’s investment and attention from the military, yet the central question remains the same: when will the technology move into steady series production and become a service used at scale rather than a showcase of capabilities.