Dubai has successfully completed the region’s first test flight of the Joby Aerial Taxi, a fully electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, marking a major step in its efforts to introduce sustainable, next-generation urban transport. The test flight, conducted by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in partnership with Joby Aviation, took place at a designated site in the Dubai desert.
The Aerial Taxi is designed to offer fast, zero-emission travel within cities, operating with minimal noise and requiring only a small landing footprint.
“Dubai continues to lead the way in shaping the future of mobility, guided by the strategic vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. This achievement also reflects our commitment to placing the UAE at the forefront of transformative technologies that drive global progress. Further, the successful aerial taxi test flight demonstrates our determination to transform breakthrough technologies into practical solutions that enhance quality of life and set new benchmarks for urban development,” said His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.
First commercial aerial taxi flights set for 2026
The aircraft has a range of up to 160 km and a top speed of 320 km/h, with flights such as Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah expected to take just 12 minutes, compared to 45 minutes by car.
The first commercial aerial taxi flights are scheduled for 2026, with station operations launching near Dubai International Airport. The project is part of a broader strategy under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to integrate advanced transport solutions and enhance quality of life.
“The launch of the aerial taxi’s trial operation reflects the leadership’s vision to advance sustainable and innovative mobility across all public and shared transport modes. It underscores Dubai’s commitment to keeping pace with rapid global transformations and developing future-ready solutions to emerging mobility challenges,” said His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
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Dubai triggers global revolution in mobility
At the beginning of 2024, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority signed an agreement to launch an aerial taxi service in collaboration with the General Civil Aviation Authority, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Skyports Infrastructure, a leading British company in the development of advanced air mobility infrastructure, and Joby Aviation, a specialist in aerial vehicles. Dubai is the first city in the world to commit to offering urban air mobility services through an advanced vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) infrastructure network for aerial taxis.
“Dubai serves as a launchpad for a global revolution in mobility, and flying our aircraft here represents a pivotal step towards integrating Aerial Taxi services into the fabric of daily life around the world. Thanks to our forward-looking strategic partnership with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, we are helping shape a future where clean and quiet aviation becomes the new norm,” said JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation.
