The ambitious air taxi project in the UAE promises to revolutionize travel, cutting the journey time between Dubai Airport and Palm Jumeirah from 30-45 minutes to a mere 10 minutes. Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency at Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, revealed in a Khaleej Times report this groundbreaking development.
Bahrozyan highlighted the remarkable capabilities of these air taxis, boasting top speeds of 320 km/hr and minimal charging time. He emphasized that these vehicles could swiftly transport passengers not only within Dubai but also between different emirates.
The pioneering project is a collaboration between Skyports, responsible for constructing vertiports, Joby, the aircraft operator, and the RTA, which will oversee operations. Definitive agreements were signed at the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2024, marking a significant step forward.
According to Bahrozyan, the project aims for a public launch in 2026, initially operating with six air taxis in Dubai. The service promises end-to-end convenience, with the RTA ensuring seamless connectivity between the vertiport, metro stations, and potential limo services.
The Joby aircraft, showcased at the WGS, features four passenger seats and runs on electric energy with minimal emissions. JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby, announced plans for flight testing in the UAE starting in 2025, targeting commercial service launch by 2026.
Duncan Walker, CEO and co-founder of Skyports, detailed the user-friendly experience, with zero-touch entry using biometrics and vertiports designed for efficiency and comfort. Construction on the vertiports will commence in June, with the Dubai Airport location anticipated as a major hub by the project’s completion in 2025.