Joby Aviation expects to conduct its initial flights under the US eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) in September 2026, with first operations taking place in Texas. The California-based manufacturer released the timeline on August 5, 2026, alongside its second-quarter financial results, while maintaining its target to carry its first passengers before the end of 2026.
The eIPP initiative was established by presidential executive order, with its first eight projects selected on March 9, 2026, by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the US Department of Transportation. The program framework allows participating companies to operate aircraft that have not yet received type certification, under agreements negotiated directly with the FAA, to gather operational data for future regulatory frameworks.
The Texas project under eIPP is led by the Texas Department of Transportation and includes participation from Archer Aviation, Beta Technologies, and Wisk. The regional initiative is designed to link Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, with plans to expand operational routes to Houston in later phases.
Alongside its operational guidance, Joby reported second-quarter revenue of $36.2 million from Blade, the helicopter operator acquired in 2025. The company raised its full-year 2026 revenue outlook to between $115 million and $125 million, while holding $2.3 billion in cash and short-term investments as of June 30, 2026.
Joby also announced on August 4, 2026, a strategic partnership with Atoms, an industrial artificial intelligence and infrastructure firm founded by Travis Kalanick. The collaboration focuses on developing multimodal transport hubs across Joby's planned launch markets in the United States.
