Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, has greenlit the construction of the city’s first flying taxi vertiport. Services are expected to launch in 2026.

The facility, designed to accommodate up to 42,000 landings and 170,000 passengers annually, will feature advanced technology to ensure smooth operations.

Joby Aviation will oversee aircraft production, operations, and passenger services, while Skyports will manage the infrastructure. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will regulate and integrate the new service with existing transport systems, ahead of its projected launch in Q1 2026.

According to Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the RTA, the service will provide a quick and secure transportation option, with a journey from DXB to Palm Jumeirah taking just 12 minutes compared to the usual 45-minute drive.

The service will also integrate with Dubai’s public transport network, connecting with e-scooters, bicycles, and other modes of individual transport.

Joby Aviation, which applied for a UAE commercial air transport license in September, aims to begin operations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as early as 2025.