Air taxis hit Texas skies

Joby Aviation flew its piloted all-electric aircraft out of Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport on Thursday, opening a three-year state test program.

Texas joins a federal program

Texas became the sixth site under the Department of Transportation's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. Joby's S4 and BETA's ALIA both demonstrated at Alliance Airport.

Washington showed up

Sen. Ted Cruz and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy joined TxDOT for the launch. The program traces back to a June 2025 executive order from President Trump.

“Today marks another critical step in our work to reshape how people and products move faster and more efficiently.”

Nobody is riding yet

TxDOT's Project Nexus starts with helicopters and fixed-wing planes mapping routes and gathering data. The initial flights carry no passengers at all.

Organs before people

Phase two tests medical and cargo runs, including transplant organs moving between rural facilities and hospitals in Austin and San Antonio. Passenger service across the Texas Triangle comes last.

“We're proud to lead the way in transportation innovation as we look to find new ways to connect the people of Texas.”

Joby is digging in

A Saturday round trip takes Joby into DFW's controlled airspace, with other runs to Arlington and Toyota's Plano headquarters. The company leased 45,000 square feet at Alliance.

The FAA still decides

Joby's aircraft entered the fifth and final stage of type certification. The pilot program expires three years after the first project goes operational, and each participant pays its own way.