Drone maker companies shined on Monday. Ondas Holdings up 21.6%; Joby Aviation up 16.1%; Unusual Machines, Archer Aviation up over 5%; SES AI up 4%.

Joby Aviation announced on Monday that it achieved a historic milestone by successfully completing piloted vertical-takeoff-and-landing wingborne flights of its electric air taxi in Dubai. The development was said to mark the start of its commercial readiness in the region.

The achievement was noted to be a first in the eVTOL sector and is seen supporting Joby Aviation's (NYSE:JOBY) three-pronged commercialization strategy, which includes direct operations, aircraft sales, and regional partnerships. Notably, the company has secured exclusive rights to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years through a landmark agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority.

The eVTOL company plans to launch commercial services connecting key locations such as Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Downtown Dubai, with vertiport construction already underway. The air taxi, designed to carry one pilot and up to four passengers at speeds up to 200 mph with zero emissions and minimal noise, will significantly reduce travel times. For example, a 45-minute car ride from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah will be cut to just 12 minutes. This milestone also builds on extensive testing, including over 40,000 miles of flight tests and hot weather trials in the U.S., and was said to demonstrate operational maturity and manufacturing scalability.