Joby Aviation is to install the first air taxi charger in the greater New York City region at its base in Kearny, New Jersey, just a two minute flight from Manhattan. Heliport owner and operator Helo Holdings (HHI) will upgrade its electrical infrastructure to support the installation of Joby's Global Electric Aviation Charging System (GEACS), designed to support the safe and efficient operation of all electric aircraft under development today.

The Kearney base has served as a temporary home for Joby's aircraft since November 2023, and the OEM has completed several flights there in preparation for an exhibition flight at an event hosted by the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Mayor Eric Adams. The city has committed to electrify the Downtown Manhattan Heliport to enable electric air taxi operations.

First opened in 2011, the Kearny heliport is the largest vertical-lift facility on the east coast with 27 parking spots for helicopters and plans to expand to 32. The heliport provides ground services as well as hangar space for maintenance operations to helicopter operators in the NYC region, one of the busiest low-altitude corridors in the world.

"We're pleased to expand our partnership with HHI as we prepare to install our GEACS charging system at Kearny heliport. Kearny is expected to become the first heliport with an air taxi charger in the tri-state area and enable the launch of our quiet, emissions-free air taxi service in the greater New York City region," says CEO JoeBen Bevirt.

The GEACS charging interface is already in use at Joby's flight test centre in Marina, California and at Edwards Air Force Base. Clay Lacy Aviation is also to install a charging system at John Wayne airport in Orange County, California.

Jeff Hyman, HHI CEO, says: "We continue to expand our footprint in Kearny in support of one of the busiest low-altitude corridors in the world, and we're thrilled to partner with Joby to bring the next wave of quiet aircraft to residents of the tri-state area."

In 2022, Joby signed a multi-year, multi-city commercial and operational partnership with Delta Air Lines to deliver airport trips for its customers across several locations, including Los Angeles and New York City.