Joby Aviation and Dubai RTA partner to launch air taxis by 2026

Dubai: In a first-of-its-kind project, the UAE announced air taxis in association with Joby Aviation, which is developing high-speed electric aircraft. Skyports will be building vertiports for the taxis to land in, with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) coordinating the operation. During the World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai, JoeBen Bevirt, CEO of Joby Aviation, signed an agreement with Dubai RTA, stating the manufacturing of air taxis set for commercial launch by 2026.

"Air taxis will fly at 320km/h at a high altitude, so there is no concern about lack of privacy," reassured Bevirt during the first day of WGS. The agreement includes essential elements aiming at a successful launch, such as specified operational routes and planned infrastructure supported by strategic partnerships.

The innovative taxi service is expected to revolutionize the urban transportation system of the UAE. The air taxi service can drastically cut travel time between Dubai Airport and Palm Jumeirah from 40 minutes to 10 minutes. The UAE envisions expanding the service, connecting the Emirates in the future. It is set to restructure conventional aerial transportation ideas and innovate the urban living standards of the UAE.

"The good thing is that these aircraft have a good range, allowing us to potentially make inter-emirates trips. So there are exciting plans, but initially, we will be operating on Dubai routes," says Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency at RTA.

The Joby Aviation S4 model displayed at the World Government Summit can accommodate four passengers and the pilot. The aircraft is equipped with vertical take-off and landing capability, eliminating noise pollution and the requirement for horizontal landing stations. Joby associated with NASA in 2022 to estimate the sound of the aircraft, resulting in 45.2 A-weighted decibels (dBA), which is quieter than a normal human conversation when flying at an altitude of 1,640 feet."