The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has released a statement announcing the imminent unveiling of the first air taxi station.
As part of the project, four stations will be opened initially, with the first air taxi station expected to open for business in the first quarter of 2026.
“The project is considered an ambitious step in the field of autonomous air transport, and aims to provide a modern and effective means of transportation, as the air taxi is expected to serve different areas of the city, with a focus on linking the service to hotels and the airport,” Khalid Al Awadhi, Director of Transportation Systems Department at the Public Transport Agency at RTA, said on the sidelines of the Intelligent Transport Systems Conference and Exhibition, which is being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from September 16 to 20.
Initially, the service will be available at four important landing locations in Dubai: Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Dubai International Airport, and Downtown. Designated areas for takeoff and landing, designated passenger areas, electric charging stations, and security procedures will all be included. In tandem with Skyports, they will be designed and developed.
The air taxi service is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026, according to Tyler Trerotola, general manager of Joby Aviation’s Middle East division, who made this statement outside of the event.
The air taxi, he continued, is a state-of-the-art electric aircraft that can accommodate four passengers in addition to the pilot. At a top speed of 320 kmph, the aircraft can cover a distance of up to 160 kilometers. It functions more smoothly and silently than a helicopter because its maximum noise level of 45 dB is less loud than rain.
Because the new service will reduce the time it takes to get from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah from over 45 minutes to just 10 to 12 minutes during peak hours, Tyler noted that it will help ease traffic congestion in Dubai. He underlined the importance of this project in supporting smart mobility initiatives in Dubai and expressed his eagerness to collaborate with SkyPorts and the Roads and Transport Authority to achieve the company’s goal of creating sustainable air mobility in the city.
It is eco-friendly since it operates on electricity and produces no emissions when in use. The newest, most advanced technologies in this field that are available globally were used in its manufacture.
Signed during the World Government Summit in Dubai, the agreement grants Joby the exclusive right to operate air taxis in the region for a period of six years. The agreement includes all of the essential components needed for the service to succeed, such as aircraft capacity, infrastructure provision, and route selection.
The project bolsters Dubai’s standing as a trailblazing city in the application of modern technology in transportation and exemplifies its commitment to sustainable innovation.
Air taxis help the city’s environmental initiatives and carbon emission reductions by lowering dependency on traditional modes of transportation.
In addition, air taxis provide a convenient and quick alternative for getting between the city’s major attractions, improving the trip and saving time.
The air taxi is expected to boost the city’s tourism industry by attracting tourists and visitors and reducing traffic on major thoroughfares by providing a unique and unusual mode of transportation.
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