Ras Al Khaimah has teamed up with electric air taxi company Skyports. This significant partnership formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to position the Emirate as a leader in sustainable tourism by 2027.

The MoU lays the foundation for Skyports to establish a network of vertiports, specialized hubs tailored for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxis. These vertiports will integrate with Ras Al Khaimah’s current transport infrastructure, offering fast and environmentally friendly connections to popular destinations such as Al Marjan Island, Al Hamra, and Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest peak.

This project promises significant time savings for tourists and residents. For instance, a trip from Al Marjan Island to Jebel Jais, which currently takes 70 minutes by car, could be reduced to less than 20 minutes with air taxis.

Ras Al Khaimah highlights its commitment to environmental stewardship by offering zero-emission transportation. This aligns with Skyports’ design philosophy, which emphasizes integrating with existing public transit for a more sustainable future.

The project also addresses the challenge of reducing carbon emissions in ground transportation, a significant contributor to the environmental impact of the travel industry. As emphasized by the World Travel and Tourism Council, ground transport is responsible for approximately 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in tourism.

“This partnership marks a pivotal moment,” said H.E Eng. Esmaeel Hasan Al Blooshi, Director General of RAKTA. “By introducing electric air mobility, we’re not just connecting tourists to our attractions, we’re forging a sustainable path forward for our Emirate.” He emphasized the project’s alignment with its 2030 strategic plan, focusing on accessibility and environmental responsibility.

Sharing his enthusiasm, H.E Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, pointed to the strong government support enabling “innovation at an unprecedented scale and pace.” He envisions building the infrastructure for this electric-powered transit system within the next two years, completely redefining the tourist experience in Ras Al Khaimah. He further highlighted the project’s contribution to their ambitious goal of becoming a regional leader in sustainable tourism by 2025.