Dubai has announced that flying taxis will come to the city by 2026.
On Sunday, Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, announced on Twitter that his city — the most populous in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — is relaunching its flying taxi program.
He also posted a promotional video featuring an electric six-rotor flying taxi produced by Joby Aviation, a company based out of Santa Cruz, California.
Dubai previously considered electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng, passenger autonomous aerial vehicle maker EHang, and Volocopter as potential candidates for the program. Joby showcased the aerial vehicle on Monday at the city’s World Government Summit.
“We’re excited about the opportunity and actively exploring the possibility,” said Joby spokesman Oliver Walker-Jones, according to NBC 5 DFW.
Ahmed Bahrozyan, the chief executive officer of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai, told Dubai Eye radio station “it’s early days” for the plan, and “we haven’t yet signed with any partners.”
While no deal is currently in place, Dubai’s latest announcement does signal a step forward.
The city-state plans to have four “vertiports,” with one each at Dubai International Airport, Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Marina, according to the Associated Press. Each is designed with four charging ports and two launching pads.
“We believe those are attractive areas with business and tourist hubs that could generate considerable demand,” said Bahrozyan, per the AP.
Sheikh Mohammed’s Twitter post about the vertiport features the logo of London-based Skyports Infrastructure. Skyports Infrastructure is also testing a vertiport near Paris and is working with Joby.
The cost to ride in the sky “will be in the range of a limousine service in Dubai, maybe slightly higher,” Bahrozyan added.
Limos cost around 30% more than a taxi in the city, according to the RTA. A traditional taxi has a minimum fare of $3.25 with a charge of $0.50 per kilometer.
In previously discussed flying taxi initiatives, the flying taxis were supposed to be autonomous. However, the latest plan calls for piloted taxis at first, according to the AP.
Dubai officials say the taxi will have room for a pilot and four seats for passengers, matching Joby’s electric flying taxi’s passenger occupancy.
Joby’s flying taxi has a maximum speed of 200 mph and a range of 150 miles before requiring a charge. The vehicle looks similar to a drone, taking off and landing vertically, with rotors that tilt forward in flight, the AP said.
In the U.S., Joby announced last week that it completed the second FAA air taxi certification phase.
Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY) shares traded slightly higher on Monday.
The Urban Air Mobility market is predicted to reach $7.8 billion by 2028, according to a report by SkyQuest Technology Consulting.
Dubai’s rapid growth is creating worsening traffic on the ground, with 1.8 million registered vehicles prompting the drive for a vertical alternative.
While oil-rich UAE has promised to become “carbon-neutral” by 2050 and will host the United Nations COP28 climate conference in 2023, it has maintained its plans to expand its crude oil production by 5 million barrels per day by 2027, Reuters said.
Dubai also says that 25% of all cars on its roads will be autonomous by 2030, according to the AP.