If all goes according to plan, Dubai will be set to launch all-electric air taxis by the end of this year
First talked about in 2024, electric air taxis are now closer than ever to taking to the skies in Dubai. Joby signed an agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) that same year, becoming the city’s exclusive air taxi provider for six years. The company is now working with the RTA and Skyports Infrastructure to develop an initial vertiport network linking key financial, tourism and residential hubs, allowing residents and visitors to bypass traffic and move across the city faster.
Joby Aviation, Inc. previewed the full-scale electric air taxi mock-up at the Dubai Mall a week ago. It offered the public an up-close look at the aircraft and highlighted its quiet, zero-operating-emissions technology.
Why Dubai Mall? Because the city’s most popular mall is expected to serve as a key vertiport location within Joby’s initial network, acting as a gateway to the Downtown district.
About flying taxis
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Powered by Joby Aviation, each flying taxi is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers and will travel at up to 320 km/h. That means flying taxis in Dubai could cut your travel time between DXB and Palm Jumeirah from 45 minutes by car to just 10 to 12 minutes, according to Tyler Trerotola, Joby Aviation’s Middle East general manager.
Dubai’s futuristic new mode of transport is designed to service key areas of the city while also linking travellers with the airport. They will operate from Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai/Dubai Mall.
*Flying taxis to take you from Dubai to RAK in 15 minutes*
How will bookings work?
Joby previously stated they had teamed up with Uber, so when the air taxi service launches, you will be able to book your trip in the same way as a taxi via the app. You will also be able to book via the official RTA app, and Joby will also be working on creating their own Joby app which will launch soon.
Once your booking is done, you will turn up at the vertiport and go through a terminal before boarding your aircraft. The boarding process will be around five minutes. Once at the destination, Joby will be able to connect you to an Uber so you can reach your final destination in a seamless journey.
How much will flying taxis cost?
When the flying taxis were in the works, Joby stated that the costs of using a flying taxi would be around the same price as an Uber Black per trip. However, when it is launched, it may be slightly more, but in order to be competitive with regular land taxis, the prices will slowly reduce.
Images: Supplied
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