MENA Newswire News Desk: Dubai will soon introduce fully electric air taxis as part of its Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) initiative, with the first service expected to launch in the first quarter of 2026, according to a senior official at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). This project marks a major step in the city’s autonomous air transportation strategy.
Khaled Al Awadhi, Director of the Transportation Systems Department at RTA, revealed the details during the World Congress and Exhibition on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS World Congress) held at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Al Awadhi stated that the first vertiport for the air taxis, powered by Joby Aviation, is anticipated to be operational by 2026, connecting key areas of the city.
The air taxis will link major landmarks, including hotels and Dubai International Airport (DXB). These fully electric aircraft are designed to provide faster and safer transportation, with a focus on reducing travel time between high-traffic locations. The air taxis are expected to revolutionize urban travel by offering a modern solution to the city’s growing transportation needs.
Joby Aviation’s Middle East General Manager, Tyler Trerotola, confirmed that four vertiports will serve as hubs for the air taxi service, located at Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Downtown Dubai. Each air taxi will be capable of carrying a pilot and four passengers, traveling at speeds of up to 320 km/h. A journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah will take an estimated 10-12 minutes, compared to the 45-minute car ride.
Skyports Infrastructure, a leader in vertiport infrastructure for the AAM industry, had previously signed a Definitive Agreement with the RTA and Joby Aviation during the World Governments Summit in February 2024. The partnership is expected to establish a solid foundation for the launch of these cutting-edge air taxis, with further developments expected over the coming months. Dubai’s RTA aims to integrate this futuristic mode of transportation into the city’s infrastructure, focusing on enhancing urban mobility and offering a glimpse into the future of autonomous travel.