Dubai's flying taxis may take off from Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall, one of the main tourist and shopping destinations in the UAE, may soon become a landing and takeoff station for electric flying taxis. According to announced plans, these all-electric flying taxis will be ready for launch in Dubai by the end of 2025, with Dubai Mall playing a key role in the city's air transport network.

Joby Aviation, which signed an agreement with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in 2024, has been selected as the exclusive provider of air taxis in Dubai for six years. The company is currently developing the initial network of vertiports in collaboration with RTA and Skyports, connecting key financial, tourist, and residential centers of the city.

Last week, a full-scale electric air taxi prototype from Joby was showcased at Dubai Mall. This public display provided an opportunity for Dubai residents and tourists to get acquainted with this technology up close and see its features, including noise-free operation and zero carbon emissions. The selection of Dubai Mall as one of the main stations is due to its strategic location in the downtown area and easy access to key parts of the city.

Each Joby flying taxi can carry one pilot and four passengers, flying at speeds of up to 320 kilometers per hour. This means that the distance between Dubai International Airport and Palm Jumeirah, which takes 45 minutes by car, will only take 10 to 12 minutes by air taxi. The initial flight network will include Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Downtown Dubai.

Booking flying taxis will be possible through the Uber app, the official RTA app, and soon the dedicated Joby app. Passengers will go to the vertiport after booking and will board the aircraft after passing through the terminal, which takes about five minutes. Joby will also provide Uber connectivity services at the destination to complete the journey. The cost of using flying taxis is initially announced to be close to Uber Black prices, but after launch, it may be slightly higher and gradually reduced to compete with regular taxis.

Source: whatson.ae