\n TXDoT tests next-generation aircraft under Project Nexus | Image by TXDoT\/news release <\/p>\n
Electric air taxis began flying real-world routes across North Texas on Thursday as Texas launched<\/a> a three-year test program that could eventually carry passengers among Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and Houston.<\/p>\n Joby Aviation began<\/a> a weeklong campaign with its piloted, all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport. The company plans flights through Monday around the Dallas-Fort Worth region, including a direct operation at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Weather and other conditions could change the schedule, Joby said.<\/p>\n Texas became the sixth location<\/a> to begin operations under the U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program, known as eIPP. Federal officials, state leaders and industry representatives watched Joby\u2019s S4 and BETA Technologies\u2019 ALIA electric aircraft demonstrate their capabilities at Alliance Airport.<\/p>\n U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and TxDOT officials for the launch.<\/p>\n \u201cToday marks another critical step in our work to reshape how people and products move faster and more efficiently,\u201d Duffy said<\/a>.<\/p>\n Initial flights carry no passengers<\/p>\n The Texas Department of Transportation launched Project Nexus after the DOT and FAA selected<\/a> the proposal on March 9. Federal officials chose eight proposals spanning 26 states from more than 30 submissions. Texas\u2019 industry partners include Archer Aviation, BETA, Joby and Wisk.<\/p>\n President Trump directed<\/a> the transportation secretary, acting through the FAA, to establish eIPP in a June 2025 executive order.<\/p>\n TxDOT said the broader first phase will use traditional aircraft, such as helicopters and fixed-wing planes, to test routes and collect data across the state. Thursday\u2019s kickoff also featured demonstrations of Joby\u2019s and BETA\u2019s electric aircraft. TxDOT said the initial flights will carry no passengers.<\/p>\n The program will advance in three phases. After route testing, TxDOT plans to examine medical and cargo flights, including the movement of critical supplies or organs for transplant between rural facilities and medical centers in Austin and San Antonio. The final phase envisions passenger air-taxi flights across the Texas Triangle.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re proud to lead the way in transportation innovation as we look to find new ways to connect the people of Texas,\u201d TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said<\/a>.<\/p>\n Joby plans airport route tests<\/p>\n Joby scheduled a round trip from Alliance Airport to DFW Airport for Saturday. The aircraft is expected to enter DFW\u2019s controlled airspace and land at DFW Corporate Aviation. Other planned missions include a round trip to Arlington and a route to Toyota Motor North America\u2019s headquarters in Plano.<\/p>\n The company recently leased a 45,000-square-foot facility at Alliance Airport for its long-term North Texas operations.<\/p>\n Research into electric air taxis in North Texas airspace predates Project Nexus. A 2023 NASA-Joby simulation<\/a> tested high-volume operations at DFW Airport and Dallas Love Field. NASA researchers later found that existing procedures could support 40 operations per hour when a route crossed a runway and up to 55 when it did not, under nominal simulated conditions.<\/p>\n Arlington has spent years preparing for electric air taxi operations, as previously reported<\/a> by The Dallas Express.<\/p>\n Passenger service still requires federal approval<\/p>\n Joby said its aircraft has entered the fifth and final stage of FAA type certification. Future passenger flights through Project Nexus remain subject to FAA oversight and the applicable approvals.<\/p>\n