Dubai is making significant strides in transforming urban mobility with the successful completion of its inaugural crewed air taxi flight, connecting Margham to Al Maktoum International Airport. This achievement is a pivotal step as the city prepares to roll out aerial taxi services by 2026. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, praised this development while reviewing the latest projects by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). He emphasized that ongoing investments in infrastructure reflect the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, focusing on enhancing quality of life, sustainability, and connectivity within the city. Sheikh Hamdan expressed a desire for innovations that promote integrated transport networks, making Dubai more conducive to pedestrians and cyclists, moving closer to the goal of positioning Dubai as the world's best city for living and working.
The new aerial taxi, developed by Joby Aviation Inc., is an environmentally friendly aircraft powered by electric energy. With six propellers and four independent battery packs, it can carry four passengers and a pilot. The craft boasts a maximum flight range of 160 kilometers and can achieve speeds up to 320 kilometers per hour. To support this new mode of urban transport, the RTA, in partnership with Skyports Infrastructure, is constructing the city's first vertiport adjacent to Dubai International Airport. This four-level facility will feature vehicle parking, passenger lounges, and two designated take-off and landing pads, with additional vertiports planned in strategic locations throughout the city.
The trial flight, which coincided with the Dubai Airshow 2025, marks a significant milestone in the emirate's future mobility plans. Operational testing is set to expand and will include various urban routes, aimed at launching passenger services in 2026 under the oversight of the General Civil Aviation Authority and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority. This ambitious initiative is part of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which intends to position Dubai among the top three urban economies worldwide, reinforcing the city’s commitment to being a leader in intelligent, sustainable, and future-ready transportation solutions.