FLYING TAXIS
DUBAI AIMS TO BE THE WORLD’S FIRST FLYING TAXI CITY
Dubai is on track to become the world’s first city with a commercial, city-wide electric flying taxi service, with initial flights expected to begin as early as 2026. This initiative, a collaboration between the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), JOBY Aviation, and Skyports Infra- structure, is set to transform urban transport and reduce travel times significantly. The first four “vertiports” will be located at key city landmarks: Dubai International Airport (DXB),
Dubai Downtown, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah. The inaugural commercial flight is slated to take off from the vertiport at DXB, connecting the airport to major hotels and destinations. According to the RTA’s Al Awadhi, the goal is to make a 10-minute flight between DXB and Palm Jumeirah a reality, a journey that currently takes around 45 minutes by car. Booking a ride will be seamless, as JOBY Aviation is a global partner with Uber, allowing for
reservations through the popular ride-hailing app. The cost is expected to be comparable to an “Uber Black” service but will be a fraction of the travel time. JOBY Aviation is now in the multi- stage application process to become a certified taxi operator in the UAE, ensuring all operational and safety standards are met before the service launches. The long-term vision is for a fleet of around 100 vehicles and for the service to eventually expand to connect Dubai with Abu Dhabi.
JOBY’S AIR TAXI COMPLETES FIRST PILOTED FLIGHT BETWEEN TWO PUBLIC AIRPORTS
Joby Aviation has marked a significant step toward com- mercial readiness by successfully completing the first piloted flight of its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi between two public airports in the U.S. The flight on Friday, August 15, travelled approximately 11 miles from Marina Municipal Airport (OAR) to Monterey Regional Airport (MRY). The journey took about 12 minutes, which included a five-minute hold pattern to allow a commercial airliner to land. The flight demonstrated the eVTOL’s ability to take off vertically, transition to wing-borne flight, and integrate into controlled airspace while adhering to the same air traffic control protocols as a traditional aircraft. Didier Papadopoulos, President of Aircraft OEM at Joby, called the flight a “major step” toward the
14
company’s goal. He stated, “Successfully flying from Marina to Monterey showcased operations of our aircraft integrated in the broader transportation network and further validated its performance
to ensure we’re
prepared for service on day one.” This milestone also provides crucial data for the aircraft’s certification process with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). According to Joby, the company plans to begin flight testing with FAA pilots early
next year and, following certification, intends to launch commercial services in Los Angeles and New York City. The company previously demonstrated its capabilities with an exhibition flight in New York City in 2023, where it claimed the journey from downtown to JFK Airport could take just seven minutes by air taxi, compared to 49 minutes by car. While Joby’s flight is a first for the U.S., British firm Vertical Aerospace recently claimed the world’s first flight between two public airports, flying 17 miles in England. Joby, which has flown more than 40,000 miles across its fleet, has partnerships with Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic. The company is also planning to
launch
commercial services in Dubai in early 2026, while a rival firm, Archer, plans to launch in Abu Dhabi by the end of this year.
SEPTEMBER 2025 PHTM
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