An agreement has been formalized between Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) and the electric aircraft company Joby Aviation, headquartered in California, to launch air taxi services in the city by 2026.
Joby Aviation aims for “initial operations” to commence in 2025, with a complete service expected to be operational by 2026, as stated by the company.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors for RTA, emphasized that the initiative will offer swift, secure, and convenient travel to key city locations, enhancing seamless multimodal transportation and improving overall citywide connectivity for passengers.
This exclusive agreement, inked during the World Governments Summit in Dubai, grants Joby the sole right to operate air taxis in the city for a duration of six years.
According to JoeBen Bevirt, the founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, this agreement encompasses the essential elements needed to successfully launch an air taxi service, including a clear operational plan, well-established infrastructure supported by committed partners, and an aircraft with the capacity and range to facilitate meaningful journeys.
Bevirt expressed eagerness to provide an exceptional travel experience for Dubai’s residents and visitors as early as 2025 and looks forward to laying the groundwork for expanding their service throughout the broader UAE.
Faster trips
The aircraft is specifically crafted to accommodate a pilot and four passengers, reaching speeds of up to 320 kilometers per hour. The journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah is anticipated to be a swift 10 minutes, a significant reduction compared to the 45-minute car commute.
While the precise financial details of the project remain undisclosed, Joby has mentioned that the agreement encompasses various forms of support from the RTA. This includes financial mechanisms aimed at facilitating the introduction and evolution of service operations in Dubai.
In addition, the company has entered into a partnership with Skyports, who will be responsible for the design, construction, and operation of the initial four take-off and landing zones. These zones will be strategically located at Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Dubai Downtown.
Industry growth
June 2023 saw Joby obtaining approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to initiate flight testing within the United States.
During the same year, Joby, in collaboration with German company Volocopter, executed the inaugural air-taxi test flights in New York City.
By December 2023, Volocopter conducted manned flight tests in Osaka, gearing up for the World Expo scheduled to be held in the city in 2025.
