Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with Joby Aviation, reports it has completed the first crewed electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aerial taxi flight between two distinct locations in the UAE. The electric aerial taxi took off from the Joby’s test facility in Margham and flew 17 minutes to Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central), coinciding with the Dubai Airshow 2025, said the authority. “This achievement makes Joby the first company in the world to complete a crewed electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft flight between two distinct points within the UAE.”
RTA also announced that Skyports Infrastructure has completed 60% of the construction of the first vertical take-off and landing aerial taxi vertiport in the Emirate, located near Dubai International Airport (DXB). The construction has reached the highest point of the vertiport, “which is the first of its kind globally.”
The RTA has also announced the development of three additional vertiports to support aerial taxis, in partnership with Emaar Properties, Atlantis The Royal, and Wasl Asset Management Group, as part of their real estate projects.
Joby expects to ramp up Dubai flight test operations and begin carrying passengers in 2026 in partnership with the RTA, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), and Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS).
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA said these operations are paving the way for the commercial launch of aerial taxi services in 2026. These services will offer a convenient and fast mode of transport that enhances connectivity between key destinations across the emirate.
“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 said. “The aerial taxi will offer a distinctive new service for residents and visitors of Dubai seeking a fast, safe, and convenient way to travel between key destinations across the city. The journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah is expected to take about 10 minutes, compared to roughly 45 minutes by car. 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.”
The primary vertiport, located near Dubai International Airport, spans 3,100 square meters across four floors. It includes two levels for vehicle parking, take-off and landing pads, designated areas for aerial taxi parking and charging, and fully air-conditioned passenger facilities. The vertiport is estimated to handle approximately 42,000 aerial taxi landings annually, serving around 170,000 passengers.
The vertiports and take-off pads are being constructed to the highest international safety standards. The vehicles will operate in partnership with Joby Aviation, the developer of the electric aerial taxi, while Skyports Infrastructure is responsible for the vertiport design, construction, and operations. RTA will oversee governance of the operation, ensuring integration with other transportation modes. According to the timeline, the aerial taxi service is expected to launch in 2026.
RTA announced partnerships and collaboration with Emaar Properties, Atlantis The Royal, and Wasl Asset Management Group to construct additional vertiports to support the aerial taxi service. These additions will bring the total number of planned vertiports for 2026 to four, including the one located near Dubai International Airport. Together, these vertiports will form the foundation of the initial route network for the electric aerial taxi service.
A vertiport will be located at the Zabeel Dubai Mall parking area, operated by Emaar Properties. Another vertiport will be constructed on Palm Jumeirah within the Atlantis The Royal hotel. The third vertiport will be developed at Dubai Marina, within the American University in Dubai parking area, managed by Wasl Asset Management Group.
At the start of 2024, the RTA entered into an agreement to launch the aerial taxi service in collaboration with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Skyports Infrastructure Limited
For more information
https://www.rta.ae/wps/portal/rta/ae/home/news-and-media/all-news/NewsDetails/successful-first-crewed-electric-aerial-taxi-flight