From Airport to Palm Jumeirah in 12 Minutes: Dubai Greenlights Aerial Taxi Vertiport
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Dubai’s new aerial taxi service promises quick trips connecting major locations in the city with zero emission electric aircraft.
Aerial taxis are set to transform Dubai’s transport with rapid eco-friendly travel between key landmarks launching in 2026, the makers of the vertiport said. (IMAGE: X/@HamdanMohammed)
Dubai has approved the construction of its first aerial taxi vertiport, situated near Dubai International Airport, WAM, the official news agency of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said in a report.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai approved the project.
We commenced construction on Dubai’s first aerial taxi vertiport near Dubai International Airport. Spanning 3,100 sqm, the facility will have the capacity to handle 42,000 landings and 170,000 passengers annually. The initial phase will feature stations in Downtown, Dubai Marina,… pic.twitter.com/UVOipwqf3h— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) November 12, 2024
Spanning 3,100 square metres, the vertiport will include areas for take-off, landing, aircraft charging, a dedicated taxi apron, and parking. It’s designed to handle about 42,000 landings annually, serving an estimated 170,000 passengers per year.
Joby Aviation will manage aircraft production and operations, while Skyports will be responsible for designing, building, and running the vertiport infrastructure. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will handle governance and link the service with other transport options. The aerial taxi service is set to launch in early 2026.
The Joby S4 aerial taxi is an eco-friendly electric vehicle with vertical take-off and landing. It produces zero emissions and features six rotors and four battery packs. With a range of 161 kilometers and a top speed of 321 km/h, it offers a quieter alternative to helicopters, carrying four passengers and a pilot.
Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors of RTA, said: “In the initial phase, the aerial taxi service will operate from four key locations—Dubai International Airport, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah. This service will provide Dubai residents and visitors with a rapid, secure option connecting major city landmarks”.
With these air taxis a trip from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah is expected to take just 12 minutes, versus 45 minutes by car. The service will also connect with public transport and personal mobility options like e-scooters and bicycles, enhancing Dubai’s multimodal connectivity.
- Location :
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
