Dubai is set to revolutionize urban transportation by introducing fully electric air taxis in the first quarter of 2026 as part of its advanced air mobility (AAM) initiatives, a senior official revealed.
Powered by Joby Aviation, the first point of the four vertiports of the Dubai flying taxi is likely to go into operation in the first quarter of 2026, stated Khaled Al Awadhi, director of the Transportation Systems Department at Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). He was speaking on the sidelines of the World Congress and Exhibition on Intelligent Transport Systems in Dubai.
Efficient transport
The project is an ambitious step in the field of autonomous air transportation. Moreover, it aims to provide a modern and efficient means of transportation. The air taxi will serve different areas of the city, with a focus on linking the service to hotels and the airport, he added.
Read | Electric air taxis in UAE: U.S.-based Joby applies to become certified operator
According to Al Awadhi, the initiative promises swift and safe mobility between key locations in the emirate. Moreover, it offers passengers a futuristic mode of travel above the cityscape.
Four vertiports in Dubai
Tyler Trerotola, general manager for the Middle East at Joby Aviation, said the air taxis will operate from four vertiports. These are Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Dubai Downtown.
They can carry a pilot and four passengers at 320 km/h. Hence, passengers can get from DXB to Palm Jumeirah in 10-12 minutes as compared with 45 minutes by car, he added.
Skyports Infrastructure, the leader in vertiport infrastructure for the AAM industry, has signed a definitive agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) and all-electric aircraft company Joby Aviation to launch passenger air taxi services in Dubai by 2026. The agreement was inked during the World Governments Summit in February.
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