Dubai air taxis to introduce a fresh chapter in the city’s transport system from first quarter of 2026

Fully electric air taxis are going to start operating in Dubai from the first quarter of 2026, according to the city’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA). The vehicles are designed to carry a pilot and 4 passengers at 320 kph.

The air taxis are expected to operate from four vertiports in Dubai, including Dubai International (DXB) and Palm Jumeirah. This means passengers can get from DXB to Palm Jumeirah in just 10-12 minutes compared to the current 45 minutes by car.

The electric vehicles are expected to be considerably less noisy than normal helicopters, possibly producing a sound of no more than 45 decibels. This is said to be less than the sound of rain, according to a report in The National.

Ensuring greener transportation and less traffic congestion

The Dubai air taxis are an ambitious step in the field of autonomous air transportation and aims to provide a modern and efficient means of transportation. They are expected to serve different areas of the city, focusing on linking the service to hotels and the airport.

The service is aimed at reducing traffic congestion, said Tyler Trerotola, General manager of the Middle East at Joby aviation. Earlier this year, media reports suggested the RTA had signed a deal that offers the company the exclusive right to operate air taxis for six years.

The vertiports are set to be designed and developed in collaboration with air mobility infrastructure firm Skyports. They are going to include dedicated take-off and landing areas, a dedicated passenger area and electric charging facilities.