Gone are the days when you’ll be late for your meetings because of traffic jams. Joby Aviation is set to launch the first all-electric flying taxi service in Dubai with stations across the Emirates. With initial stations in four primary areas of Dubai:
- Downtown Dubai (Burj Khalifa area)
- Dubai Marina
- Dubai International Airport
- Palm Jumeirah
At the pre-event of the World Government Summit, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, along with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, approved the Flying Taxi design at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) stand.
Vertiports
The stations will essentially be miniature airports called Vertiports. As explained by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, Vertiports will have all the amenities any airport has, such as specified takeoff and landing zones, waiting areas, security areas, electric charging stations, and seamless integration public transportation networks.
Approved by Sheikh Mohammed, the Vertiport features two parking levels. The roof serves as a terminal for aerial taxis linked to the Emirates Metro Station via an air-conditioned bridge. To enhance operational efficiency, it includes four stands for aerial taxis and two landing areas.
World’s First Commercial Electric Flying Taxi Service
This is the world’s first commercial, city-wide electric flying taxi service and is expected to be launched by 2026. It will be a fast, safe, convenient, and sustainable mode of transport in the future, courtesy of the UAE government, Joby Aviation (aircraft manufacturer), and Skyports Infrastructure (vertiport operator).
Go Green to Protect the Future
As of November 2024, an average of 3.5 million cars travel every day on UAE roads. That causes a high rate of emissions and is damaging the environment as we speak. Joby Aviation S4 aircraft has been specifically designed to address this problem and provide an environment-friendly solution.
Joby S4 Aircraft
Joby Aviation designed the Joby S4 aircraft as a sleek and technologically advanced all-electric eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle. It can comfortably accommodate a pilot and four passengers.
And some of its features are indeed surprising.
It will reduce travel times by quite a margin as you can travel from the airport to Palm Jumeirah in just 10 minutes. A car will take at least 45 minutes to cover this distance. This is because the Joby S4 has
Its top speed of over 321 km/h and range of 161 km makes it perfect for inter-city travel.
According to the manufacturer, the Joby S4 will produce no emissions or pollution. What’s more, it will be stable and safe for passengers even at higher speeds, and it will be easy to book, just like an Uber. Its unique ability to perform vertical takeoffs and landings makes it more convenient.
It will probably be Expensive
According to officials at Joby Aviation, one ride will cost almost the same as an Uber Black, around AED 300 to 500. That is more affordable than it should have been. But that’s just Dubai! They care more about adding value to the lives of their people than just business.
What about my Safety?
Joby Aviation will sort it out for you as we speak. They are conducting tests and making continuous improvements to ensure we achieve maximum safety. A typical helicopter has only one rotor, while the Joby S4 has 6 of them, making it safe.
Will it be Comfortable like an Uber Black?
It will be more comfortable than an Uber Black and a lot quieter and faster. The operating altitude is between 1000 and 3000 ft in the air, so if your mobile phone can catch the signals, you can sit back and doomscroll reels throughout the ride.
