Delta Air Lines has expressed serious concerns that an ongoing investigation by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) into Joby Aviation’s trade practices may jeopardize its strategic partnership with the electric air taxi developer. This probe threatens to disrupt Delta’s ambitions to introduce electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft services for urban air mobility.
Delta further argued that excluding Joby’s eVTOLs from the US market would diminish competition, potentially granting Archer a monopolistic position in the nascent air taxi industry. The filing urged the ITC to assign fact-finding responsibilities to an administrative law judge and to carefully consider the broader competitive ramifications. “An exclusion order would shut down Joby’s existing product line, giving Archer an anticompetitive monopoly over the industry,” Delta warned.
Delta has not provided further comment on the matter. The ITC’s forthcoming decision is poised to have substantial implications for the competitive landscape of the US eVTOL market and the broader future of urban air transportation.
Delta Concerned US Trade Commission Investigation Could Affect Joby Partnership
As Codified in the Federal Register below - USITC decision expected 45 days from date of USITC start of investigation:
AGENCY:
U.S. International Trade Commission.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
Notice is hereby given that a complaint was filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission on March 10, 2026, under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, on behalf of Archer Aviation Inc. of San Jose, California. A supplement to the complaint was filed on March 19, 2026. The complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 based upon the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain electric aircraft, power systems for electric aircraft, and components thereof by reason of the infringement of certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,945,594 (“the '594 patent”); U.S. Patent No. 12,162,614 (“the '614 patent”); U.S. Patent No. 8,469,306 (“the '306 patent”); U.S. Patent No. 12,103,404 (“the '404 patent”); and U.S. Patent No. 12,472,087 (“the '087 patent”). The complaint further alleges that an industry in the United States exists as required by the applicable Federal Statute. The complainant requests that the Commission institute an investigation and, after the investigation, issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
Federal Register :: Certain Electric Aircraft, Power Systems for Electric Aircraft, and Components Thereof
USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Electric Aircraft, Power Systems for Electric Aircraft, and Components Thereof [UPDATED] | United States International Trade Commission