The much-awaited air taxi service in Dubai is set to launch in 2026. This new mode of transport will offer residents and visitors a fast, safe and convenient way to travel between key destinations across the city.
The aerial taxi service is expected to cut travel time between Dubai International Airport and Palm Jumeirah – a distance of about 36 km – to just 10 minutes. At present, the same journey takes roughly 45 minutes by car.
Flying Taxi in Dubai 2026
Being developed by Joby Aviation, the aerial taxi in Dubai will further enhance connectivity between key areas, business districts, and tourist landmarks. Last year at the Dubai Airshow 2025, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with Joby Aviation, successfully completed the first crewed electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aerial taxi flight between two locations in the UAE.
The electric aerial taxi took off from Joby’s test facility in Margham and flew for 17 minutes before landing at Al Maktoum International Airport.
Air Taxi Dubai 2026
In a statement on November 16, 2025, Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s RTA said: “RTA is steadily progressing towards the commercial launch of the aerial taxi service in 2026, solidifying Dubai’s position as the city of the future and a global hub for innovative and sustainable urban mobility solutions, combining efficient infrastructure with high quality of life.”
He further said that the service will also enhance integration with various public transport modes and individual mobility options, such as electric scooters and bicycles, supporting seamless multimodal travel and strengthening citywide connectivity to deliver a smooth and comfortable passenger experience.
Dubai Air Taxi service: Route
Initially, the aerial taxi service in Dubai is expected to operate from four locations close to Dubai International Airport, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah. “The Aerial Taxi stations will be a striking addition to Dubai’s skyline, featuring unique standout designs.
These four-level structures will feature two dedicated zones for take-off and landing, air-conditioned passenger lounges, parking facilities for both aerial taxis and vehicles, as well as charging stations for the taxis. Each station is expected to accommodate approximately 42,000 landings annually,” RTA said in a statement in its monthly magazine published in December 2024. More
By: Anish Mondal
