- Dubai-Joby partnership for eVTOL flying taxis launching early 2026.
- Quiet, zero-emission aircraft: 200 mph, 100-mile range, $95 fares.
- Exclusive 6-year rights; vertiports at airports, Palm Jumeirah, Marina.
Joby Aviation, a US-based company and a partner of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) via the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA), is planning to launch the world's first commercial electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) flying taxi services by early 2026.
Joby has secured an exclusive six-year operating right for that service once it has conducted successful testing, including a demonstration flight that lasted 15 minutes during the Dubai Air Show, which took place on recently, at Al Maktoum International Airport.
The aircraft Joby has designed is an all-electric airplane powered by six non-tilting rotors that produces zero emissions, can travel at a maximum speed of 200 MPH (320 KPH), has flight distance of 100 miles, and produces minimal noise - 45.2 dBA when measured 500 meters away, which is less than the level of sound generated by normal conversation.
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Initial routes for the service will include a flight from Dubai International Airport to the Palm Jumeirah in 10 minutes that is priced at around $95 USD. In addition to the initial route between Dubai International Airport and Palm Jumeirah, Joby plans to operate throughout the city. Its planned vertiports will include Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Downtown Dubai.
Joby plans to start operations in 2025 and launch commercial operations in 2026 with the help of Skyports' infrastructure and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) General Civil Aviation Authority's (GCAA) regulations. Abu Dhabi has also been working on a similar approach to Archer Aviation.The UAE is therefore taking the lead in urban air mobility and reducing the congestion on the ground in highly populated cities while supporting environmentally friendly transportation.