Dubai has completed the world’s first crewed electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi flight between two prominent locations in the United Arab Emirates, marking a major milestone in the emirate’s push to launch commercial air mobility services by 2026.
Article contents:
- The historic flight
- Dubai’s vision for future mobility
- Vertiports: Infrastructure for the future
- Key locations of the initial network
- Journey times: Speed and comfort
- Joby aircraft: Specifications and technology
- Partnerships and the 2026 launch plan
- FAQs
The historic flight
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in cooperation with Joby Aviation, confirmed this achievement during the Dubai Airshow 2025 as regulatory, infrastructure, and testing operations accelerate.
The crewed electric air taxi flew for 17 minutes from the Dubai Jetman heliport in Margham to Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central), making Joby the first company globally to complete such a flight within the United Arab Emirates.
Dubai’s vision for future mobility
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said that the successful crewed flight reflects the wise leadership’s vision to position Dubai as a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility.
He said: “Joby Aviation’s successful completion of the first air taxi flight between two prominent locations underscores the success of the RTA’s operational framework for developing Dubai’s air mobility ecosystem and its ability to operate within a shared airspace.”
Vertiports: Infrastructure for the future
The RTA also announced that Skyports Infrastructure has completed 60% of construction work on Dubai’s first vertiport.
Located near Dubai International Airport (DXB), the project is the first of its kind worldwide. The main vertiport spans 3,100 square meters across four floors, including take-off pads, charging areas, parking lots, and air-conditioned passenger facilities. It is designed to handle approximately 42,000 landings annually, serving nearly 170,000 passengers.
Additional vertiports will be developed under agreements between the RTA and major real estate developers such as Emaar Properties, Atlantis The Royal, and Wasl Asset Management Group. These vertiports will be located at:
- The Dubai Mall Zabeel parking area.
- Palm Jumeirah inside Atlantis The Royal.
- Dubai Marina inside the American University in Dubai parking area.
Four vertiports are planned for the initial 2026 network.
Journey times: Speed and comfort
The air taxi service represents a major step toward safer, more efficient, and sustainable transportation. The journey between Dubai International Airport and Palm Jumeirah is expected to take only about 10 minutes, compared to roughly 45 minutes by car.
Joby aircraft: Specifications and technology
Joby’s electric air taxi is designed for urban environments, featuring vertical take-off and landing capabilities, six rotors, four battery packs, and zero operational emissions.
The aircraft has a range of up to 160 kilometers, a top speed of 320 kilometers per hour, and accommodates four passengers plus a pilot. The company continues regular flight testing in partnership with aviation regulators in Dubai and the UAE.
Partnerships and the 2026 launch plan
JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, said: “From flight demonstrations to infrastructure, we are making incredible progress on all fronts as we look forward to launching commercial passenger service in Dubai next year.”
Under this partnership, Dubai is set to become the first city in the world to offer urban air transportation through a network of eVTOL air taxis. Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in 2026.
FAQs
What is an eVTOL air taxi?
It is an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft designed to transport passengers in urban environments over short distances, serving as a fast and sustainable alternative to road transport.
When will the air taxi service start in Dubai?
Commercial operations are scheduled to launch in 2026.
Where will the air taxi stations (vertiports) be located?
The initial planned locations are near Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah (Atlantis The Royal), Dubai Marina, and Dubai Mall Zabeel.
