Dubai to Launch Joby Air Taxis by 2026 to Ease Traffic Congestion
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Dubai is preparing to introduce electric air taxis by 2026, aiming to reduce road congestion and transform urban mobility.
Joby Aviation completed its first test flight in Dubai this week, marking a key step toward launching commercial aerial taxi services in the emirate. The California-based company plans to begin operations with four vertiports located at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown and Dubai Marina.
The Joby Aerial Taxi is a fully electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft capable of flying up to 160 kilometres at speeds of 320km/hr. The aircraft is designed to be quiet and emission-free, making it suitable for use in densely populated urban areas.
A trip from DXB to Palm Jumeirah is expected to take about 12 minutes by air taxi, compared to 45 minutes by car.
Joby’s UAE General Manager Anthony Khoury said the company aims to change how people commute. While the service will initially target higher-income travellers, Joby hopes to make it more affordable over time.
The demonstration flight took place on Monday at a desert site southeast of downtown Dubai. The aircraft performed a vertical takeoff, flew several kilometres, and landed vertically in front of government officials, transport executives and company representatives.
Joby signed an agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transit Authority in early 2024, granting the company exclusive rights to operate air taxis in the city for six years.
Despite the progress, the eVTOL industry still faces challenges, including regulatory approvals and the development of vertiport infrastructure.
In April, Morgan Stanley lowered Joby’s stock price target from USD 10 to USD 7, citing execution risks and broader aerospace concerns. Joby shares are currently trading at USD 10.55.
Joby’s President of Original Equipment Manufacturing, Didier Papadopoulos, called the development a rare transformation in aviation and expressed excitement about the future of urban air travel.
Joby Aviation completed its first air taxi test flight in Dubai
Commercial service expected to launch in 2026 with four vertiports
Air taxis will cut DXB to Palm Jumeirah travel time to 12 minutes
Source: REUTERS