NYCEDC, Joby Aviation, and Partners Hold eVTOL Demonstration Flights, Marking New Era for Advanced Air Mobility in New York City

Historic Flights Connect JFK International Airport to Manhattan in Under Ten Minutes

NYCEDC and Partners Propel Infrastructure Upgrades and Electrification Across City-Owned Heliports

NEW YORK, NY—Yesterday, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) celebrated a historic milestone in New York City’s aviation history when Joby Aviation successfully flew its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to the city-owned, NYCEDC-managed Downtown Skyport. Part of Joby’s week-long campaign of demonstration flights in the New York metropolitan area, connecting JFK to Manhattan in under ten minutes, this event stands as the latest step forward in New York City's efforts to facilitate a transition to advanced air mobility and electric flight, underscoring the city’s commitment to sustainable transportation, cleaner air, and quieter skies.

Building on the historic announcement in 2023, when New York City hosted the United States’ first-ever urban eVTOL flight demonstration at Downtown Skyport, yesterday’s test flight signals the rapid acceleration of electric aviation in the city. Since that first flight in 2023, NYCEDC has secured contractual commitments from Downtown Skyport LLC and Atlantic Aviation—the private operators of the two city-owned heliports, Downtown Skyport and the East 34th Street Heliport—to deliver infrastructure and electrification upgrades, paving the way for commercial eVTOL operations and advanced air mobility following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification of the new technology. These upgrades, soon to commence at Downtown Skyport and the East 34th Street Heliport, are part of a larger commitment to electrify all city-owned heliports and support the launch of commercial electric air taxi service.

“Joby’s historic flight, linking our city-owned Downtown Skyport to our airports, is proof that the future of advanced air mobility is no longer a Jetsons-esque fantasy—it’s already here,” said NYCEDC Interim President & CEO Jeanny Pak. “NYCEDC is thrilled to usher in New York City’s transition to electric flight, and these flights mark a real milestone in that journey. Building on the progress we’ve made alongside Downtown Skyport and Atlantic Aviation since Joby last flew in NYC skies by upgrading the city-owned heliports to support eVTOL charging infrastructure and Blue Highways maritime delivery, NYCEDC is making New York a more sustainable, greener, and innovative transportation landscape for all New Yorkers.”

“New York City has always set the standard for what's possible, and today's flights demonstrate that we are operationally ready to bring commercial air taxi service to this city,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby. “NYCEDC's commitment to electrifying New York's heliport network is exactly the kind of bold infrastructure vision that makes that launch possible, and we're proud to be the company that will deliver it.”

“Joby’s flights to Downtown Skyport are strong proof of our operational readiness,” said Addison Ferrell, Director of Infrastructure, Skyports Infrastructure. “So far during Joby’s flight campaign we’ve hosted four landing and recharging sessions, with Downtown Skyport acting as Joby’s Manhattan hub. These landings demonstrate how eVTOL flights can be seamlessly integrated into operations at Downtown Skyport. The campaign also provides momentum to our plans enable the facility for ongoing eVTOL operations, and providing New Yorkers with a key AAM network node in the future.”

“We commend the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the City of New York for their vision and leadership in advancing Advanced Air Mobility across the city and surrounding communities,” said Kevin Cox, CEO of Vertiports by Atlantic. “Aircraft like Joby’s are quieter, cleaner, and purpose-built for urban environments, with the potential to reduce congestion, enhance connectivity, and deliver meaningful benefits—linking people to jobs, healthcare, and opportunity in ways not previously possible. In short, this technology is truly transformational, and we are proud to partner with NYCEDC to help build the next chapter of aviation, beginning at the East 34th Street Heliport.”

“The bridges, tunnels, airports, and rail lines that the Port Authority operates move hundreds of millions of people through this region every year, and our job is to make sure that network keeps pace with the future,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “This cutting-edge aircraft is exactly the kind of innovation we have a responsibility to demonstrate, understand, and help shape for the good of the region and the public. These flights advance our work to determine how next-generation aviation technology can serve the people of New York and New Jersey.”

“We operate some of the busiest airports in the world, and with that comes a responsibility to think seriously about what aviation looks like in the decades ahead for our passengers, for our communities, and for the environment,” said Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia. “This demonstration flight is one data point in a larger body of work we’re building around next-generation electric aviation, and it reflects our conviction that responsible exploration of these technologies now is how we prepare this region for the future.”

“For decades, communities across our city have lived with the noise, emissions, and disruption of helicopter traffic, with little change in how this industry operates,” said Council Member Amanda Farías. “During my time as Chair of the Committee on Economic Development, I worked to confront those impacts directly by holding oversight hearings, elevating community concerns, and advancing legislation to raise the standard for helicopter operations in New York City. What we are seeing now, alongside partners like NYCEDC and Joby, is an early step toward a different approach, one that prioritizes quieter technology, cleaner operations, and a more responsible future for aviation in our city. There is still work ahead to ensure it delivers for New Yorkers, but this is a triumphal step forward.”

NYCEDC and Downtown Skyport LLC have also committed to building out a state-of-the-art Blue Highways facility at Downtown Skyport, transforming the site into a multi-modal hub for sustainable transportation and last-mile maritime delivery. On-site geotechnical drilling, a key first step in the construction of the Blue Highways infrastructure is set to begin in May 2026.

New York City continues to lead the nation in transforming aviation transportation. Joby’s historic flights follow the March selection of the New York and New Jerseyregion under the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) to accelerate the safe integration of next-generation electric aircraft. Working alongside the FAA, the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Joby, and other local and federal partners, NYCEDC is committed to delivering the promise of advanced air mobility to New York City and the region.

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.