The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with Joby Aviation, completed the first crewed electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aerial taxi flight between two distinct locations in the UAE.
The electric aerial taxi took off from the Dubai Jetman Helipad in Margham and flew 17 minutes to Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central), coinciding with the Dubai Airshow 2025.
This achievement makes Joby the first company in the world to complete a crewed eVTOL aircraft flight between two distinct points within the UAE.
RTA also announced that Skyports Infrastructure, a UK-based company specializing in advanced aerial mobility infrastructure development, has completed 60 percent of the construction of the first VTOL aerial taxi vertiport in the Emirate, located near Dubai International Airport (DXB). The construction has reached the highest point of the vertiport, which is the first of its kind globally.
The RTA has signed agreements with Emaar Properties, Atlantis The Royal, and Wasl Asset Management Group to establish additional vertiports for aerial taxis within their real estate projects. This achievement underscores Joby’s readiness and ability to operate in shared airspace. Joby expects to ramp up Dubai flight test operations and begin carrying passengers in 2026 in partnership with Dubai RTA, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), and Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS).
HE Mattar Al Tayer, RTA Director General, said the first crewed flight of Dubai’s electric aerial taxi marks a milestone in the city’s leadership in smart, sustainable mobility, reflecting the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed to make Dubai a global hub for innovation and quality of life.
HE Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer Director-General, Chairman – Board of Executive Directors Dubai RTA
“The successful completion by Joby Aviation of the first eVTOL aerial taxi flight between two distinct locations underscores the success of RTA’s operational framework for developing Dubai’s aerial mobility ecosystem and its capability to operate within a shared airspace. This milestone paves the way for a new phase of integration among smart mobility systems across the emirate, further strengthening the confidence of global partners in Dubai’s regulatory and technological environment and establishing it as a leading global platform for future mobility trials.”
The Director General stated that, “The significant progress made by Skyports Infrastructure Limited in establishing the VTOL Aerial Taxi Vertiport near Dubai International Airport, along with the agreements signed with three major entities in Dubai to create vertiports within their development projects, reinforces RTA’s efforts to expand the network of aerial taxi stations and vertiports across the Emirate. This will ensure the delivery of exceptional air mobility services to Dubai’s residents and visitors, while enhancing connectivity between key areas, business districts, and tourist landmarks.”
Al Tayer said that the milestone highlights Dubai’s strong infrastructure and regulatory readiness to adopt future aerial mobility in collaboration with aviation authorities. It marks a key step toward safer, more efficient, and sustainable transport, setting the stage for the commercial launch of aerial taxis in 2026.
He noted that RTA is on track for the launch, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global leader in innovative urban mobility. The aerial taxi will offer fast, safe, and convenient travel, cutting trips like Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah from 45 minutes to around 10, while integrating seamlessly with public and individual transport options to enhance citywide connectivity.
Image credits: Dubai Media Office | Cropped by GBN
JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, said that, “From flight demonstrations to infrastructure, we’re making incredible progress on all fronts as we look ahead to launching commercial passenger service in Dubai next year. By working alongside the RTA, other government agencies and infrastructure partners, we’ve been able to streamline development of the world’s first air taxi service and are closer than ever to making urban air transport an everyday reality for residents and visitors across the UAE.”
Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports Infrastructure Limited, emphasised that the vertiports are essential to the success of advanced aerial mobility. With this key milestone achieved, Dubai is positioned to become the world’s first city to bring this technology to life, offering a high-speed, zero-emission mode of transport that will transform movement within and beyond urban areas.
Joby’s eVTOL Air Taxi
Joby’s air taxi features vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability and operates on fully electric power, producing zero emissions. Designed for reliability, comfort, and speed, the aircraft is equipped with six rotors and four battery packs, offering a range of up to 160 kilometers and a top speed of 320 kilometers per hour. It carries four passengers plus a pilot and operates far more quietly than traditional helicopters. Its VTOL design makes it ideal for urban environments, requiring no horizontal runway space and allowing seamless integration into compact stations.
Image credits: Dubai Media Office | Cropped by GBN
Joby Aviation continues to advance its flight test program with regular trials and public demonstrations. In June, the company completed a series of crewed eVTOL test flights in Margham, validating the aircraft’s performance under local environmental conditions. The tests were conducted in collaboration with the RTA, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS).
Skyports Infrastructure, a UK leader in advanced aerial mobility, is building Dubai’s VTOL vertiports. The main facility near Dubai International Airport covers 3,100 square meters over four floors and includes vehicle parking, take-off and landing pads, charging areas, and air-conditioned passenger spaces. It is designed to handle about 42,000 landings and 170,000 passengers annually.
Built to the highest international safety standards, the vertiports will support Joby Aviation’s electric VTOL aerial taxis. Skyports will manage design, construction, and operations, while RTA oversees governance and integration with other transport modes. The aerial taxi service is slated to launch in 2026.
Image credits: Dubai Media Office | Cropped by GBN
Agreements with Emaar Properties, Atlantis The Royal, and Wasl Asset Management Group will add three new vertiports to support Dubai’s aerial taxi network. Together with the main facility near Dubai International Airport, four vertiports will form the initial 2026 route network.
A vertiport will be built at Zabeel Dubai Mall, one of the world’s busiest destinations. Another will be located at Atlantis The Royal on Palm Jumeirah, offering direct access to the island’s key attractions. The third, at Dubai Marina in the American University in Dubai parking area, will link the district’s residential and leisure hub with nearby business and technology centers.
In early 2024, RTA had signed an operating agreement with the GCAA, DCAA, Skyports Infrastructure, and Joby Aviation, making Dubai the first city globally set to launch an urban aerial mobility network using advanced VTOL taxis.
