Aug 6 (Reuters) -

Electric air taxi maker Joby Aviation ( JOBY ) said on

Tuesday the it has formally applied for its aircraft to be

certified for use in Australia.

The Santa Cruz, California-based company is among the

numerous makers of air taxis, also known as electric vertical

take-off and landing aircraft, that have emerged over the recent

years promising to de-congest urban travel by offering

intra-city rides.

Joby's application to Australia's Civil Aviation Safety

Authority for an FAA type certification validation leverages a

bilateral agreement between U.S. and Australian regulators for

mutual recognition of aviation approvals and certifications.

FAA type certification requires a company to undertake

rigorous testing and documentation across each aircraft system

to prove the aircraft meets safety standards and is ready for

commercial operation.

The company aims to begin commercial passenger service in

2025 and is currently in the third of a five-stage process of

certification with the U.S. FAA.

Joby has also applied to have its FAA type certificate, once

received, validated by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau and the

United Kingdom's Civil Aviation Authority.

The company's eVTOL aircraft is designed to carry a pilot

and four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph.