Electric air taxis get the green light for test flights in Texas

Live updates

1. 3d ago

   Electric Air Taxis Begin Test Flights in Texas

   Electric air taxis have officially taken flight in Texas, launching a federal pilot program designed to test the future of urban aviation. Joby Aviation initiated flights across North Texas to mark the start of the three-year initiative. Meanwhile, companies including Archer and BETA are planning to introduce air taxi charging infrastructure to support these operations, and Merlin demonstrated autonomous flight capabilities at the kickoff event. Federal and state transportation officials celebrated the rollout, which aims to evaluate how vertical takeoff and landing aircraft can integrate into regional transport systems.

   Why it matters

   The rollout forms part of a federal electric vertical takeoff and landing pilot program spearheaded by the Texas Department of Transportation through Project Nexus. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy celebrated the launch to unlock the future of flight. Industry participants are working to establish the necessary ground infrastructure, such as charging stations, to support ongoing operational trials over the next three years.

   What is confirmed

   • Joby Aviation began electric air taxi testing in major areas of North Texas.
   • The initiative is part of a three-year federal test program known as Project Nexus, launched by the Texas Department of Transportation.
   • Federal Aviation Administration leadership, including Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, celebrated the launch of the federal eVTOL pilot program in Texas.
   • Archer and BETA plan to bring air taxi charging infrastructure to Texas to support TxDOT operations with America's Consortium for Electric Skyways.
   • Merlin demonstrated autonomous flight capabilities at the Texas Department of Transportation Project Nexus eIPP kickoff event.

   What to watch next

   • Deployment of additional air taxi charging infrastructure by Archer and BETA
   • Further updates on autonomous flight testing and operations under Project Nexus
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. The Verge — Electric air taxis get the green light for test flights in Texas
   2. Dallas News — Joby Aviation begins air taxi testing in major areas of North Texas
   3. Texas Department of Transportation (.gov) — Air-taxi testing taking flight in Texas
   4. Joby Aviation — Joby Launches eIPP Flights in Texas :: Joby Aero, Inc. (JOBY)
   5. Archer Aviation — Archer, BETA Plan to Bring Air Taxi Charging Infrastructure to Texas to Support TxDOT’s eIPP Operations with America’s Consortium for Electric Skyways
   6. WFAA — Electric air taxis take flight in Fort Worth, kicking off Texas pilot program
   7. AI Magazine — Merlin Demonstrates Autonomous Flight Capabilities at Texas Department of Transportation Project NEXUS eIPP Kickoff Event
   8. Joby Aviation — Joby Autonomous Aircraft Begins Cross-Country Tour :: Joby Aero, Inc. (JOBY)
   9. Federal Aviation Administration (.gov) — Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Celebrates Launch of Federal eVTOL Pilot Program in Texas to Unlock the Future of Flight
   10. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth — Could air taxis help Texans skip traffic? Testing is now underway
   11. www.yahoo.com — Electric Air Taxis Take Flight Over North Texas In 3-Year Test
   confidence 100%