Flying Taxis in Dubai by 2026? Latest Plans Revealed

13.02.2024 - 07:15 / skift.com / Joby Aviation / Gordon Smith

Flying taxis could be in the skies above Dubai by next year. The bold claim follows the signing of a new deal between local officials and a California-based transportation company.

The agreement is between Joby Aviation and Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA), which claim there could be air taxi services within the Emirate by “early 2026.” 

Joby thinks initial operations could even begin next year, several months ahead of the 2026 official launch.

Joby’s air taxis look like futuristic helicopters and operate in much the same way. The vehicle takes off and lands vertically within the scope of existing helipads. 

However, unlike a helicopter, it has much shorter wings with multiple small rotors. These are powered by quieter electric engines and create less vibration than current rotary aircraft. 

With a top speed of 200 miles per hour and a maximum range of 150 miles, Joby’s high-tech vehicle can carry up to four passengers as well as a pilot. 

While full details remain sketchy, Joby says the agreement includes a “variety of support” from the RTA, including “financial mechanisms, for entry and maturing of service operations in Dubai.”

Significantly, it also buys Joby valuable time to ramp up its presence in the city. The contract gives the U.S. firm exclusive rights to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years. 

Joby has additionally inked a deal with infrastructure company Skyports, which will design, build, and operate the first four ‘vertiport’ sites across Dubai. 

Stakeholders have agreed that Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Dubai Downtown will be the launch locations for the flying taxi service. For context, a journey from the city’s main airport to Palm Jumeirah is expected to take just 10 minutes, compared with 45+ minutes by car.

The contract was signed at the World Governments Summit which is currently taking place in the city. It builds on announcements made at last year’s event about how Dubai’s electric dreams would take flight. 

While Joby appears to have won over authorities in Dubai, the company faces stiff competition on the global stage. 

Last summer, Archer Aviation announced $215 million in new funding, with big-name backers including Boeing and United Airlines. Archer, which went public in September 2021, has now raised more than $1.1 billion. Like Joby, it is targeting 2025 as the year when flying taxis make the leap from the development lab to the downtown launchpad. 

Other pioneers in the air taxi space include Lilium, which closed an additional capital raise of $192 million last year. In 2022, the German company signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s national flag carrier to purchase up to 100 of its vehicles. Familiar brands including Azul