Dubai took another step toward launching commercial aerial taxi services after the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and US-based Joby Aviation completed the first crewed electric air taxi flight between two separate locations in the UAE.
The 17-minute flight began at the Dubai Jetman Helipad in Margham and ended at Al Maktoum International Airport during the Dubai Airshow 2025. This made Joby the first company to complete a crewed eVTOL point-to-point flight in the country.
RTA said the trial shows the aircraft’s ability to operate safely in shared airspace. Joby plans to expand tests in Dubai and begin passenger operations in 2026 with support from the RTA, the General Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and Dubai Air Navigation Services.
Vertiport progress
RTA confirmed that Skyports Infrastructure has completed 60 percent of Dubai’s first aerial taxi vertiport near Dubai International Airport. The project has reached its highest structural point and is expected to handle about 42,000 landings a year, serving nearly 170,000 passengers.
The 3,100-square-metre facility will include take-off pads, parking and charging areas, and air-conditioned passenger zones across four floors.
RTA has also signed agreements with Emaar Properties, Atlantis The Royal, and Wasl Asset Management Group to build three more vertiports at Zabeel Dubai Mall, Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Marina.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said the successful flight “marks a new milestone in Dubai’s distinguished record of leadership and innovation.”
He added: “The successful completion by Joby Aviation of the first aerial taxi flight between two distinct locations underscores the success of RTA’s operational framework for developing Dubai’s aerial mobility ecosystem and its capability to operate within a shared airspace. This milestone paves the way for a new phase of integration among smart mobility systems across the emirate, further strengthening the confidence of global partners in Dubai’s regulatory and technological environment and establishing it as a leading global platform for future mobility trials.”
On the vertiport network, Al Tayer noted: “The significant progress made by Skyports Infrastructure Limited in establishing the Aerial Taxi Vertiport near Dubai International Airport, along with the agreements signed with three major entities in Dubai to create vertiports within their development projects, reinforces RTA’s efforts to expand the network of aerial taxi stations and vertiports across the Emirate.”
He also said: “This historic milestone stands as a testament to the efficiency of Dubai’s infrastructure and regulatory frameworks, and their readiness to embrace future technologies in aerial mobility … paving the way for the commercial launch of aerial taxi services in 2026.”
Al Tayer added that the service is expected to cut travel time between Dubai International Airport and Palm Jumeirah to about 10 minutes, compared with around 45 minutes by car.
Company statements
Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt said: “From flight demonstrations to infrastructure, we’re making incredible progress on all fronts as we look ahead to launching commercial passenger service in Dubai next year.
“By working alongside the RTA, other government agencies and infrastructure partners, we’ve been able to streamline development of the world’s first air taxi service and are closer than ever to making urban air transport an everyday reality for residents and visitors across the UAE.”
Skyports Infrastructure CEO Duncan Walker said: “Vertiports are fundamental to the success of the advanced aerial mobility system. With this pivotal milestone reached, we are witnessing a historic moment in the sector’s journey as Dubai positions itself to become the first city in the world to make advanced aerial mobility a tangible reality.”
Aircraft details
Joby’s electric air taxi has six rotors and four battery packs, giving it a range of up to 160 km and a top speed of 320 km/h. It can carry four passengers plus a pilot and operates more quietly than traditional helicopters. Its vertical take-off and landing design allows operation in dense urban areas with limited space.
Joby has been running regular test flights in Margham, where the aircraft’s performance was evaluated under local weather conditions.
By 2026, Dubai expects to operate four vertiports across the city, forming the first route network for aerial taxi services. Planned locations include Zabeel Dubai Mall, Atlantis The Royal on Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Marina near the American University in Dubai. These sites are designed to improve links between major business districts, residential areas, and tourist destinations.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
