The Future of Air Mobility in the UAE: Flying Taxis by 2026

The Future of Air Mobility in the UAE: Flying Taxis by 2026

A US-based company is making significant strides in developing a revolutionary eVTOL aircraft (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) for commercial passenger services. Joby Aviation, led by CEO JoeBen Bevirt, expects to launch its first operations by late 2025 or early 2026. During a panel discussion, Bevirt praised the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for its impressive progress in building the necessary infrastructure and obtaining certifications for autonomous aircraft.

Experts predict that it will soon be possible to travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in just 30 minutes via a flying taxi. This highlights the UAE's leading role in the global urban mobility revolution. In February 2024, Joby Aviation announced a partnership with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to introduce air taxi services in the Emirates starting in 2026.

In addition to Joby Aviation, other major players such as Archer Aviation and UAE-based aviation service provider Falcon Aviation are contributing to this emerging industry. They are working on developing vertiport infrastructure at strategic locations in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Joby and Archer’s involvement in Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster underscores their ambition to lead the future of autonomous aviation in the region. These advancements reaffirm the UAE’s status as a pioneer in innovation and urban mobility.

The introduction of flying taxis marks not only a technological breakthrough but also promises unprecedented convenience for travel within the region. This makes the UAE an even more attractive destination for tourists, business travelers, and investors worldwide.