Dubai is set to revolutionize urban transport with the introduction of flying taxis, slated to take off as early as the last quarter of 2025.
Tyler Trerotola, General Manager of California-based air-taxi company Joby Aviation, announced this development at the five-day Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress and Exhibition in Dubai, which began on Monday.
Initially, Skyports Infrastructure will construct four vertiports across key locations in Dubai, including Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, and Dubai Marina. These vertiports will serve as crucial hubs for the new aerial transport network. Trerotola highlighted that a journey from DXB to Palm Jumeirah is expected to take just 10 minutes by air taxi, a significant reduction from the approximately 45 minutes required by car.
Integration with Uber and Booking Process
Joby Aviation has partnered with Uber to integrate its services into the aerial ridesharing model. Customers will be able to book their flying taxis via a mobile app, with Uber providing transportation to and from the vertiports. This partnership aims to offer seamless connections from home or office to final destinations across the city.
Regulatory Approvals and Safety
Joby Aviation has applied to become the first certified air taxi operator in Dubai. This certification, required by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), is a crucial step toward launching commercial operations. Additionally, Joby signed a definitive agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in February and a multilateral MoU with various Abu Dhabi departments in April to facilitate their entry into the Dubai market.
Fare Structure and Vehicle Specifications
While the exact fare for the flying taxis has not yet been disclosed, Trerotola indicated that pricing would be influenced by market demand. The air taxis, equipped to carry up to five passengers, including the pilot, have a flying range of up to 160 km and can reach speeds of 320 km/h at an altitude of 1,640 feet. They are designed to be quieter than traditional helicopters, registering only 45 decibels, similar to the sound of rainfall.
Safety and Future Plans
Joby Aviation has conducted approximately 60,000 km of test flights, ensuring the safety and reliability of its air taxis. Pilots will be experienced commercial aviators trained in the US, though the exact number of available pilots and air taxis at launch has yet to be announced. Joby will be the exclusive air taxi operator in Dubai, although other companies like Archer Aviation are also preparing for their own launches in the UAE.
Dubai's Vision for Autonomous Vehicles
In parallel with the air taxi development, Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of Corporate Administrative Support Services at RTA, revealed that Dubai is exploring dedicated lanes for autonomous vehicles and aerial taxis. The city aims to transition 25 percent of its transportation to autonomous modes by 2030, and current plans include expanding dedicated lanes for buses and soft mobility options like bikes and e-scooters.
As Dubai continues to advance its transportation infrastructure, the introduction of flying taxis represents a bold step toward modernizing urban mobility and enhancing connectivity across the emirate.
News Source: Khaleej Times
