Dubai is set to make history as the world’s first city to offer aerial urban transport, following the approval by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, for the construction of the city’s inaugural aerial taxi vertiport near Dubai International Airport.
The new facility, designed to integrate seamlessly into Dubai’s skyline, will deliver a futuristic, efficient mobility option for residents and visitors.
Spanning 3,100 square meters, the vertiport will accommodate up to 42,000 landings annually, with an expected ridership of around 170,000 passengers. Equipped with zones for take-off, landing, aircraft charging, and passenger parking, the vertiport will feature air-conditioned waiting areas and adhere to global safety standards.
Upon visiting the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) headquarters, Sheikh Hamdan was briefed on the contemporary design and technological advancements of the vertiport. The project brings together Joby Aviation, responsible for manufacturing and operating the aerial taxis, and Skyports, which will oversee the infrastructure’s design, construction, and management. Dubai’s RTA will govern the system and coordinate its integration with the city’s transport network.
The Joby S4 aerial taxi, known for its sustainable design, features zero-emission electric power, noise reduction, and advanced technology allowing vertical take-off. The service, launching in Q1 2026, will initially connect four key locations: Dubai International Airport, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah. The trip from the airport to Palm Jumeirah, for instance, will be reduced to approximately 12 minutes, compared to the typical 45 minutes by car.
The groundbreaking project follows an agreement earlier this year between RTA, Skyports, Joby Aviation, and aviation authorities, aiming to set new standards for urban transport in Dubai and beyond.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
