Electric air taxi service to launch in Dubai within two years

Joby Aviation, a California-based company who have developed an all-electric, vertical take-off and landing air taxi have reached an agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch air taxi services in the Emirate within two years.

JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO, Joby Aviation, said: ‘It is an honor to partner with the government of Dubai to demonstrate the value of sustainable air travel to the world.

‘Today’s landmark agreement delivers on all three ingredients required to successfully launch an air taxi service – a definitive path to operations, well-placed infrastructure supported by dedicated partners, and an aircraft with the capacity and range to deliver meaningful journeys.

‘We’re looking forward to delivering an incredible experience for residents and visitors to Dubai as early as 2025 and we’re excited to be laying the groundwork for the expansion of our service across the wider UAE.’

The agreement provides Joby with the exclusive right to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years, in addition to a variety of support from the RTA, including financial mechanisms for entry, and maturing of, service operations in Dubai.

The aircraft is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour.

Skyports will design, construct, own and operate vertiports to provide critical take-off and landing infrastructure at four key locations across the Emirate.

The initial network will include four vertiports located by Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown and Dubai Marina. Flights between the vertiports will reduce journey times significantly, with a typical journey from DXB to Palm Jumeirah expected to take 10 minutes by air taxi compared with 45 minutes by car.

Duncan Walker, founder and CEO of Skyports said: ‘Today marks a significant step towards the launch of commercial air taxi services in Dubai. The industry has never been closer to making it a reality.

‘This agreement brings together the key enablers of advanced air mobility: strong, innovative local leadership; a world-leading aircraft partner; and critical ground infrastructure integrated with the Emirate’s existing transportation networks.

‘The strategic positioning of our vertiports in key locations across Dubai will enhance connectivity and provide a faster travel option for residents and visitors. With the Definitive Agreement signed, now begins the exciting part: designing and building our vertiports.’