Dubai to Launch Air Taxi Service by 2026
The agreement entails the RTA overseeing air mobility services, with Joby Aviation granted exclusive rights to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years.
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The agreement entails the RTA overseeing air mobility services, with Joby Aviation granted exclusive rights to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years. Skyports, on the other hand, has been entrusted with the exclusive rights to design, construct, and operate a network of vertiports—dedicated launch and landing areas tailored for air taxis.
After the launch, Dubai will be the first country worldwide to boast a commercial, citywide electric air taxi service.
These flights between Skyports' vertiports are anticipated to dramatically reduce travel times, offering commuters unprecedented efficiency and convenience.
.@rta_dubai signs agreement with @gcaauae, @DcaaDubai, @Skyports_Infra and @jobyaviation, as #Dubai looks set to become world’s first city with a commercial, city-wide aerial taxi service. pic.twitter.com/WKDftXtzcz
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 11, 2024
Initial plans unveil four strategically positioned vertiports adjacent to Dubai International Airport, the Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, and Dubai Marina.
Notably, a journey from the airport to the Palm Jumeirah is projected to be slashed from 45 minutes by car to a mere 10 minutes via air taxi.
The Joby Aviation S4 aircraft, characterized by its top speed of 321 kilometers per hour, can accommodate a pilot and up to four passengers. Featuring six propellers and four battery packs, this aircraft boasts a maximum travel distance of 161 kilometers. Furthermore, its quieter operation compared to helicopters, coupled with its vertical take-off and landing capabilities, significantly minimizes space requirements for vertiports.
Meanwhile, Skyports will spearhead the operation of vertiports across key Dubai locations, ensuring seamless take-off and landing infrastructure. Collaborating closely with the RTA, Skyports has unveiled a preliminary design concept for a vertiport near Dubai International Airport. This design entails a three-floor parking structure with a vertiport terminal situated atop, offering seamless connectivity to the Emirates Metro station.