Dubai Set To Launch First Aerial Taxi By 2026

First Aerial Taxi: Dubai has approved construction of its first aerial taxi vertiport near Dubai International Airport, marking a major step towards becoming first city to offer urban aerial transport.

vertiport, designed to blend seamlessly with Dubai's skyline, will provide passengers a unique, efficient, and comfortable travel experience in skies.

Crown Prince and Executive Council Chairman Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum authorised project, according to a press release.

Spanning 3,100 square metres, vertiport will feature dedicated take-off and landing zones, aircraft charging stations, a taxi apron, and parking areas, with capacity for 42,000 landings and 170,000 passengers per year.

Built to top global safety standards, air-conditioned facility will be a collaboration with international partners: Joby Aviation, responsible for aircraft manufacturing and operations, and Skyports, overseeing vertiport infrastructure design and manment. Dubai's Ros and Transport Authority (RTA) will govern project and integrate it with or transit systems. service is expected to launch in early 2026.

aerial taxi, Joby's S4 model, is a sustainable electric vehicle with zero emissions, capable of vertical take-offs and landings. Equipped with six rotors and four battery packs, it can travel up to 161 km at a maximum speed of 321 km/h. Designed for a pilot and four passengers, taxi operates at significantly reduced ise levels compared to helicopters.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General of RTA, said that initial phase will focus on four key locations, providing residents and visitors with a fast, safe, and integrated transport solution across Dubai.

This project aligns with Dubai's vision of multimodal connectivity, offering smooth access to or public and personal transport options like e-scooters and bicycles, he said.

Earlier this year, RTA signed an agreement to launch aerial taxi service with General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Skyports Infrastructure, a UK-based leer in vanced aerial mobility infrastructure development, and Joby Aviation, a US-based specialist in aerial vehicles.