Dubai flying taxi service will soon become reality. Starting in 2026, passengers will travel across the city using electric flying taxis. Dubai will lead the world as the first city to operate a commercial air taxi network.
Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency at RTA, announced the news after Joby Aviation completed successful full-scale test flights. This project will fully integrate into Dubai’s existing transport infrastructure. It is not a temporary trial but a permanent mode of travel.
Dubai signed a six-year exclusive deal with Joby Aviation in 2024. Under the agreement, Joby will supply, operate, and manage the flying taxis. Skyports, a UK-based infrastructure firm, will build the required vertiports. These aircraft run on electricity, include a pilot, and operate with minimal noise—up to 100 times quieter than helicopters.
Each flying taxi carries four passengers, one pilot, and some luggage. It travels more than 300 km/h and can cover over 200 kilometers. These features will allow travel between Dubai and cities like Abu Dhabi or Ras Al Khaimah in under 30 minutes.
Workers have already begun constructing the first vertiport at Dubai International Airport, behind the Emirates Airline building. The city will add three more: one at Palm Jumeirah, another near Dubai Mall, and a fourth by the American University of Dubai. These four sites will create a highly connected urban network for air travel.
The Dubai flying taxi service will initially target business travelers and luxury tourists. Pricing may resemble helicopter tour rates at first. However, RTA expects prices to drop as technology matures and operations expand. Eventually, fares could become as affordable as Uber rides.
UAE regulators are currently working with Joby Aviation to certify the aircraft. No country has approved these eVTOL vehicles for commercial use yet. Dubai hopes to lead not only in launching air taxis but also in regulating them. This dual role could set a global benchmark in aerial mobility.
The first routes will serve central Dubai. Nevertheless, officials plan to expand service across the Emirates. They aim to partner with developers and introduce vertiports in residential and commercial hubs. This approach supports a long-term vision of making flying taxis a common travel option.
Leaders view this initiative as more than a transport upgrade. The Dubai flying taxi service represents the city’s push toward a smarter, faster, and cleaner future. If successful, it may inspire similar systems around the globe.
