Dubai conducted the first aerial taxi test flight, marking a big step towards delivering next-generation, sustainable urban transportation. The fully electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) is designed to provide quick, zero-emission transport within cities. It works quietly and has a small landing footprint.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, praised the achievement as part of the UAE’s commitment to adopting transformative technologies that drive global advancement. He stated that the successful flight highlights Dubai’s commitment to employing cutting-edge technologies to improve the quality of life.
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, in collaboration with Joby Aviation, conducted the test at a specified location in the Dubai desert.
The aircraft has a range of up to 160 km and a maximum speed of 320 kilometres per hour. Flights from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah are scheduled to take only 12 minutes. The first commercial aerial taxi flights are scheduled for 2026. The initiative aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to integrate innovative transportation solutions. Joby Aviation’s JoeBen Bevirt described it as a turning point in the evolution of global air taxi services.
