A federal plan could bring air taxi service to Monterey County earlier than expected.

If all goes according to plan, the Federal Aviation Administration could allow some local air taxi service before it officially certifies the aircraft for commercial use.

That means a company such as Joby Aviation, which is manufacturing and testing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Marina, may have limited taxi service at major events beginning in 2026, even as it continues through the rigorous FAA certification process.

President Donald Trump’s June executive order calling for the acceleration of drone and other advanced air mobility development led to the FAA establishing the Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing and Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program.

According to the FAA, the three-year program looks to join forces with governments and private businesses to test operations and gather data that will be used to shape future regulations around the burgeoning industry.

Applications are due Dec. 19, and the FAA is expected to choose five projects across the country. When it will make that decision is unknown.

Locally, a group known as American Air Advantage is throwing its hat into the ring. Caltrans serves as the lead agency of the group, which also includes Joby, Archer Aviation, the County of Monterey, Monterey Bay DART, San Jose International Airport and other businesses and agencies across North and Central California.

A3, as it is known, issued a three-year plan beginning in 2026. Year one proposes air taxi demonstrations in Monterey, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties “serving large public events,” according to the plan, while collecting data on public perception, noise and operational procedures for transporting passengers and goods. The second year aims to develop an air highway from Monterey County to the Silicon Valley and Contra Costa County for eVTOL aircraft and drones, integrating with regular air traffic.

Year three intends to further expand passenger service, while using the data it has gathered over the program to inform the FAA’s guidance for air taxi service during the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Earlier this year, Archer, which is based in San Jose and tests its aircraft at the Salinas Municipal Airport, announced it was selected as the official air taxi provider for the Olympics and plans to transport fans throughout the city.

That latter point is key in A3’s application, said Todd Muck, executive director for the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, which is part of the group. Muck told TAMC’s board on Dec. 3 that the Trump administration is “very bullish” on the Olympics, which may increase A3’s chances of being chosen.

Joby is in the final stages of FAA certification.

Approval of A3’s proposal by the FAA would allow Joby to offer limited commercial service before it is fully certified.

“We are definitely competing against other parts of the country for this,” Muck said. “The beauty of our area is that we have these operators already developing this technology.”