Mashable: Dubai signs agreement to launch air taxi services by 2026

Dubai will very soon have air taxis flying all over the city.

As the emirate seeks to reduce urban traffic congestion, Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA), General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) has signed an agreement to launch air taxi services by 2026 with the UK based Skyports Infrastructure and the US Joby Aviation, according to the Khaleej Times.

.@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
On the sidelines of the 2024 World Governments Summit, which starts today in the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai, the agreement to bring air taxi service in the emirate by 2026 was signed on Sunday, February 11, 2024.

The signing of the futuristic move took place on Day 0 of the World Governments Summit in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

As per the agreement, Dubai will be the first city in the whole world with a fully-developed network of “vertiports” for permanent air taxi services in two years via electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The initial phase of Joby aerial taxi service in #Dubai will be launched at four prime locations: near Dubai International Airport, the Downtown area, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah. The new service will reduce travel time from DXB to Palm Jumeirah from 45 minutes to just 10. pic.twitter.com/lzwQTbEbRZ

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 11, 2024
Flights between these “vertiports” are expected to reduce journey times. The initial network will see the station installations for air taxi services at Dubai International Airport, Dubai Downtown, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah.

خدمة التاكسي الجوي بدبي في 2026@rta_dubai | @jobyaviation | @Skyports_Infra pic.twitter.com/YeZNnmGqdd

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 11, 2024
It is also important to note that the journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah is anticipated to become a mere 10 minutes by flight, which is a significant reduction from the reported 45-minute commute, taken by car.