Hamdan bin Mohammed gives the Starting Signal for the Implementation of the First Air Taxi Station in Dubai
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, has given the go-ahead for the implementation of the first air taxi station, which will be located near Dubai International Airport.
This step confirms Dubai’s leadership as a pioneering model for future cities, and highlights its constant endeavor to adopt smart and effective solutions that will ensure the continuous development of the quality of life and provide the finest services to all members of society.
His Highness watched a presentation on the air taxi station, which features a design that is in line with the general character of Dubai, contributing to providing a unique, comfortable and smooth transportation service. His Highness also listened to an explanation from His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), about the station, in the presence of a number of RTA officials, Joben Bevert, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, the manufacturer of the air taxi, and Damien Kiesel, Head of Infrastructure for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at SkyPort, the designer and executor of the stations’ infrastructure.
The air taxi station consists of a building built on an area of 3,100 square meters, including parking spaces, two areas for air taxi take-off and landing, air taxi parking and charging stations, and air-conditioned facilities for receiving passengers.
The maximum capacity of the station is estimated at about 42,000 air taxi landings annually, to serve about 170,000 passengers per year.
The station includes facilities designed according to the highest international safety standards, and will be implemented and operated in cooperation with global operators. Joby will manufacture and operate the air taxi vehicles and manage passenger traffic, while Skyport will design, implement and operate the stations’ infrastructure. The Roads and Transport Authority will govern the operation and achieve integration with various means of transportation. According to the timetable, the air taxi service is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2026.
Comfortable, safe and fast transportation
The Joby S4 air taxi is characterized by its vertical take-off and landing capabilities. It is a sustainable, environmentally friendly vehicle that runs on electric power and does not cause any harmful emissions to the environment. It is also characterized by safety, comfort and speed, as its design took into account the use of the latest modern technologies in this field worldwide. The design includes 6 propellers and four battery packs, giving it the ability to fly a distance of 161 kilometers, while its maximum speed reaches 321 kilometers per hour. The air taxi can accommodate four passengers in addition to its pilot, and is characterized by a low noise level compared to the noise of helicopters.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer explained that the air taxi service will be provided in the first phase through four locations: the first is located near Dubai International Airport, the second is in the city centre (Downtown area), the third is in Dubai Marina, and the fourth will be in Palm Jumeirah.
His Excellency pointed out that the project will provide a new and distinctive service for the residents and visitors of the Emirate of Dubai, who wish to move easily, quickly and safely, to a number of vital locations in the city of Dubai, as the journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah is expected to take about 12 minutes, compared to about 45 minutes by car. The service also contributes to enhancing integration with various means of public transport, as well as individual means of transport such as electric scooters and bicycles, facilitating multi-modal transportation, enhancing connectivity across the city, and providing a smooth journey for passengers.
Earlier this year, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) signed an agreement to launch the air taxi service with the General Civil Aviation Authority, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, the British Skyports Infrastructure, a pioneer in developing advanced air transport infrastructure, and the American Joby Aviation, a company specializing in air vehicles. Dubai has become the first city in the world to enjoy air transport in urban areas through an advanced network for vertical take-off and landing of air taxis.
