Joby Begins Florida Air Taxi Demonstrations as Shares Fall 3.4%

Joby Aviation began a weeklong series of piloted electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft demonstrations in Florida on Friday, Oct. 30, to gather operating data ahead of commercial service.

The opening Tampa Bay flights connected Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg with Tampa International Airport. Joby’s S4 and BETA Technologies’ Alia CX300 flew the route. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) partnered with Joby on the campaign. Joby shares closed near $4.91, down about 3.4% for the day.

Joby listed future flights at Orlando International Airport, near Terminal C and the train station, and at Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility. The Orlando stop is planned at a new vertiport. These are planned demonstrations, and weather or other factors could change the schedule. Joby said the Florida campaign would collect information on airport integration, aircraft acoustics and vertiport procedures.

For Orlando, Joby said route plans and procedures drew on two years of simulations with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), NASA, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and local air traffic controllers. The federal eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) selected eight projects from more than 30 proposals in March. The program is intended to build operating experience with advanced aircraft, and its findings may inform regulations for integrating them into U.S. airspace.

Florida’s statewide project spans passenger transportation, cargo delivery, automation and medical response. It involves multiple industry partners and phases, with the Tampa flights forming part of the broader effort.

Florida approved a law in April allowing FDOT to fund up to 100% of public vertiport project costs when federal funding is unavailable. When federal funds are available, the state can cover up to 80% of the nonfederal share.

“Each flight provides crucial data and lessons learned that will help establish safety standards for everyday operations,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said.

The flights are demonstrations, not the start of paid passenger service. Joby continues to target carrying its first passengers in 2026. The company has described the eIPP flights as progressing from pilot-only operations to flights with nonpaying passengers and eventually paying passengers.