Dubai: Dubai is set to become the first city in the world to raise an aerial taxi service, with Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approving the construction of Dubai’s inaugural aerial taxi vertiport. Located near Dubai International Airport, the vertiport is developed to facilitate rapid, comfortable, and seamless travel across the city.
The new facility, spanning 3,100 square meters, will include zones for take-off and landing, charging stations, and a dedicated aerial taxi apron and parking area. Expected to support 42,000 landings annually, the vertiport could cater to around 170,000 passengers each year. This initiative is an effective step toward integrating aerial taxis into Dubai’s transport ecosystem, recollecting the city’s commitment to futuristic urban mobility solutions.
Sheikh Hamdan, along with officials from Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and representatives from Joby Aviation and Skyports, attended an exhibition detailing the vertiport’s contemporary design. The facility’s architecture aligns with Dubai’s modern urban aesthetic and includes air-conditioned waiting areas and high safety standards. Joby Aviation will manage aircraft manufacturing and operations, while Skyports handles the design, construction, and infrastructure management. Dubai’s RTA will handle governance and integration with the city’s public and private transport networks.
The Joby S4 aerial taxi model, chosen for Dubai’s fleet, is an eco-friendly, zero-emission electric vehicle with vertical take-off and landing capabilities. It can acquire speeds up to 321 km/h and cover distances up to 161 kilometers on a single charge, housing four passengers and a pilot with minimal noise. Dubai’s aerial taxi service is predicted to be operational by early 2026, with routes covering strategic locations, including Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah, offering rapid transit alternatives.
A journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah, for instance, could take just 12 minutes, compared to a typical 45-minute car ride. This project pursues an agreement earlier this year between RTA, the General Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Skyports, and Joby Aviation, marking a milestone in advanced aerial mobility.