Dubai set to launch air taxis by 2026

Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed an agreement with California-based electric aircraft firm Joby Aviation to launch air taxi services in the city by 2026.

The company says it is targeting “initial operations” as early as 2025, with a full service to be up and running in 2026.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors for RTA said the venture will provide “fast, safe, and convenient travel to key city spots”.

“This service will also enhance seamless multimodal transportation, improving citywide connectivity, and ensuring a smooth travel experience for passengers,” he added.

The agreement, signed at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, provides Joby with the exclusive right to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years.

“[This] agreement delivers on all three ingredients required to successfully launch an air taxi service – a definitive path to operations, well-placed infrastructure supported by dedicated partners, and an aircraft with the capacity and range to deliver meaningful journeys,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO, Joby Aviation.

“We’re looking forward to delivering an incredible experience for residents and visitors to Dubai as early as 2025 and we’re excited to be laying the groundwork for the expansion of our service across the wider UAE.”

Faster trips

The aircraft is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 320 kilometres per hour, with a journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah expected to take 10 minutes – compared with 45 minutes by car.

While exact details on the cost of the project have not been revealed, Joby says the agreement includes a “variety of support” from the RTA, including “financial mechanisms, for entry and maturing of service operations in Dubai”.

The company has additionally signed a deal with Skyports, who will design, build, and operate the first four take-off and landing zones for the service at Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Dubai Downtown.

Industry growth

In June 2023, Joby received a permit from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) so it could begin flight testing in the US.

Later that year the company, along with German firm Volocopter, ran New York City’s first air-taxi test flights.

In December 2023, Volocopter conducted manned flight tests in Osaka, in preparation for when the city hosts the World Expo in 2025.

Image: Joby