Dubai is on the brink of a transportation revolution with the introduction of air taxis, expected to launch in late 2025. Joby Aviation, a California-based air-taxi company, has partnered with Uber to provide an aerial ridesharing service that will seamlessly connect passengers from their homes or offices to vertiports across the city.
Vertiports and Travel Time Reduction
Initially, four vertiports will be constructed by Skyports Infrastructure at key locations: Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, and Dubai Marina. A typical journey from DXB to Palm Jumeirah will take just 10 minutes by air taxi, compared to approximately 45 minutes by car.Tyler Trerotola, General Manager of Joby Aviation, confirmed that customers can book their air taxi rides through a mobile app. Uber will serve as the first-and-last-mile solution, ensuring a convenient travel experience.
Safety and Certification
Joby Aviation has applied for the first air operator certificate from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to operate commercial air transport in Dubai. This certification is crucial for launching air taxi services and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
Strategic Partnerships and Future Plans
In February 2024, Joby signed a definitive agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch air taxi services. This was followed by a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport and other government entities. The collaboration aims to enhance urban mobility and promote sustainable transportation solutions.