Delta Air Lines has raised concerns that an ongoing US International Trade Commission (ITC) investigation into Joby Aviation may impact its strategic partnership with the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer. The ITC launched the inquiry after Archer Aviation accused Joby of patent infringements involving the importation of certain eVTOL components, which could lead to restrictions on Joby's products in the United States.
The investigation, initiated in April, follows a complaint filed in March by Archer, alleging patent violations and seeking an import ban. This legal dispute is part of broader tensions between the two companies, which have been involved in lawsuits over trade secrets and concealed Chinese components, with the latter allegations also under legal review.
Delta, which had invested an initial $60 million and pledged another $200 million toward its partnership with Joby, has warned that a negative decision could effectively shut down Joby's current product offerings. This would potentially grant Archer a monopoly and negatively influence industry competition. Delta has also called for the investigation's fact-finding phase to be overseen by an administrative law judge to assess possible impacts on the U.S. market.
The case highlights the competitive and legal complexities within the emerging urban air mobility sector, with the outcome having significant implications for the future development of electric aircraft in the United States.
