HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has approved the construction of Dubai’s first aerial taxi vertiport near Dubai International Airport. This will make Dubai the world’s first city to offer urban aerial transport through a dedicated aerial taxi network.
The 3,100-square-metre vertiport will feature zones for take-off and landing, aircraft charging, a taxi apron, and parking. It is estimated to have a capacity for 42,000 landings per year and serve around 170,000 riders.
Design and operation
The vertiport’s contemporary design integrates with Dubai’s urban landscape, providing air-conditioned facilities that adhere to global safety standards. Joby Aviation will oversee aircraft manufacturing and operations, while Skyports will handle the vertiport’s construction and management. RTA will oversee regulatory oversight and integrate the service with Dubai’s transport network. The aerial taxi service is scheduled for launch in Q1 2026.
The Joby S4 aerial taxi is an electric vehicle capable of vertical take-off and landing, with zero emissions and low noise levels compared to traditional helicopters. It can accommodate four passengers and a pilot, with a flight range of 161 kilometres and a maximum speed of 321 km/h.
In the initial phase, the aerial taxi service will operate from four locations close to Dubai International Airport, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah. This service provides Dubai residents and visitors with a new, rapid and secure transport option to key city locations. For instance, a journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah is anticipated to take approximately 12 minutes, compared to 45 minutes by car. The service also supports integration with public transport modes and individual transport solutions like e-scooters and bicycles, promoting multimodal transport and city-wide connectivity.
