Flying taxis are scheduled to launch in Dubai by 2026, as confirmed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Dubai is poised to pioneer the world’s first commercial, city-wide electric aerial taxi service and vertiport network.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, alongside Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, observed the signing of an agreement for the aerial taxi service’s launch.
The agreement, inked prior to the World Governments Summit (WGS), involves RTA, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Joby Aviation, a leading aerial taxi developer, and Skyports Infrastructure, a prominent vertiport infrastructure provider for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).
Sheikh Mohammed Inspects Joby’s S4 Aerial Taxi with Sheikh Hamdan, Commercial Launch in 2026
Accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also examined the Joby Aviation S4 Aerial taxi, set for commercial operations in 2026.
This initiative aligns with RTA’s future mobility plans, targeting transportation services for both residents and visitors in Dubai, according to Arabian Business.
The Joby Aviation S4, designed for four passengers plus a pilot, boasts six propellers and four battery packs, covering a maximum distance of 161 km at a top speed of 321 km per hour, with reduced noise compared to helicopters.
Under the agreement, RTA oversees advanced air mobility services, Joby provides aerial ridesharing, and Skyports has exclusive rights to design, construct, and operate a vertiport network—a global first binding partnership.
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Board of Directors of GCAA, emphasised the UAE’s leadership in the air transport sector, unveiling the pioneering air taxi project with a regulatory framework formulated by GCAA, making it the world’s first national aviation authority to issue such regulations.
Al Tayer stated that the aerial taxi initiative is part of RTA’s commitment to future transportation technologies, launching initially at prime locations near Dubai International Airport, Downtown, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah.
Transformative Steps Towards Aerial Taxi Services in Dubai
Efforts with GCAA, DCAA, and other relevant parties are ongoing to establish the legislative and operational framework for aerial taxis in the emirate—a first-of-its-kind framework globally.
For the first time in the region, Joby displayed its revolutionary aircraft at the World Governments Summit, offering participants a firsthand experience of flying in the five-seat aircraft.
Skyports’ CEO, Walker, highlighted the significance of the agreement, marking a significant step towards launching commercial aerial taxi services in Dubai, enhancing connectivity and providing a faster travel option for residents and visitors.
Aerial taxis, offering vertical take-off and landing capabilities, a low noise footprint, and zero operating emissions, promise increased flexibility in urban environments, prioritising safety, comfort, and speed with cutting-edge technology.
