Dubai’s flying Taxi future: Launching in 2025 with Uber integration

Dubai is set to launch its highly anticipated flying taxi service as early as late 2025, a year earlier than initially planned.  Joby Aviation, a California-based air-taxi company, will be partnering with Uber to provide a seamless door-to-door experience for passengers.

This announcement was made by Tyler Trerotola, Joby Aviation’s general manager, at the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress and Exhibition in Dubai. He confirmed the agreement with Uber will allow customers to book rides originating from their homes or offices. Uber will transport them to one of four initial vertiports, where they will board the Joby air taxi for their aerial journey.

These vertiports, constructed by Skyports Infrastructure, will be strategically located at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, and Dubai Marina.  A trip from DXB to Palm Jumeirah, typically a 45-minute drive, will take a mere 10 minutes by air taxi.

While the exact fare structure is yet to be determined, Trerotola emphasized that the service will be premium but will eventually become more affordable as the market scales up. Bookings will be managed through a dedicated mobile app.

Joby’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxis can carry up to four passengers and a pilot, with a range of 160km and a top speed of 320 km/h.  Flying at an altitude of 1,640 feet, the taxis are designed to minimize noise pollution, registering a mere 45 decibels during trials – comparable to the sound of rainfall.

Safety remains a top priority. Joby has conducted over 60,000km of test flights and will employ commercially trained pilots.  The company is also working closely with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to obtain the necessary certifications for operation.

Dubai’s commitment to autonomous transportation extends beyond air taxis. Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of corporate administrative support services at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), revealed that the city is exploring dedicated lanes for autonomous vehicles, including a dedicated flight path for air taxis. This initiative aligns with Dubai’s goal of transforming 25% of its transportation system to autonomous mode by 2030.