World first: Dubai set to launch commercial flying taxi service in 2026

Dubai: Dubai’s vision of an aerial commute is no longer science fiction. If all goes according to plan, passengers will be soaring above the city in electric flying taxis by 2026, marking a global first in the evolution of urban mobility.

“Dubai is all set to become the first city in the world to launch a commercial air taxi service, following successful full-scale test flights completed by US-based Joby Aviation,” said Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Bahrozyan revealed details of the Dubai’s ambitious air taxi project.

“We aim to be the first city in the world to launch a commercial air taxi service. This is not just a trial. This is a real transport mode that will be integrated into Dubai’s infrastructure,” said Bahrozyan.

This landmark achievement, he added, positions Dubai at the forefront of a global race to revolutionise urban transportation through electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, commonly known as air taxis. “The project is backed by an exclusive agreement signed in 2024, giving Joby Aviation six years of operational rights in the emirate,” he added. Joby Aviation is a United States venture-backed aviation company, developing an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft that it intends to operate as an air taxi service.

The air taxi initiative is part of a broader strategic partnership involving Joby Aviation, which will supply, operate, and maintain the aircraft, and Skyports, a UK-based company responsible for constructing the required infrastructure, known as ‘vertiports’.

“Construction is already underway on the first vertiport at Dubai International Airport, located behind the Emirates Airline building. Additional vertiports are planned near Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Mall, and the American University of Dubai, creating a well-connected intra-city network for short-haul air travel,” revealed Bahrozyan.

The aircraft to be used as air taxis themselves are a technological leap forward: fully electric, piloted (not autonomous in the initial phase), and 100 times quieter than helicopters.

“Each aircraft can carry four passengers, a pilot, and luggage, with a range exceeding 200 kilometres and a top speed of over 300km/h. This would make intercity travel such as to Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, or Fujairah possible in under 30 minutes,” he explained.

Though the fare has not yet been finalised, the air taxi service will debut as a premium offering, targeting business travellers and high-end tourists. “Initial pricing may be comparable to helicopter tours. But just like electric cars, we expect the cost to drop significantly over time as the technology matures and operations scale,” he said.

The long-term goal, he said, is to make air taxi fares as affordable as ride-hailing services like Uber. While there is no fixed timeline for achieving this pricing parity, RTA sees it as central to making the technology accessible to a broader population.

While Joby’s aircraft have not yet received certification from any global aviation authority, UAE regulators are working closely with the company to lead the certification process. Dubai’s proactive regulatory environment could make it a global model for integrating eVTOL aircraft into civil aviation.

“This step is critical. No country has certified these aircraft yet. But if we succeed, Dubai will not only be the first city to operate air taxis but also the first to regulate them,” Bahrozyan noted.

Though the initial routes will serve central Dubai, expansion across the Emirates is already being planned. Officials envision future partnerships with developers to bring vertiports to high-demand residential and commercial hubs.

“Once the system proves successful, we expect strong private-sector interest. This isn’t just a transport solution, it’s a blueprint for future cities,” said CEO RTA’s Public Transport Agency.