The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with Joby Aviation, confirmed the achievement during the Dubai Airshow 2025 as regulatory, infrastructure and test operations accelerate.
The crewed electric aerial taxi flew 17 minutes from the Dubai Jetman Helipad in Margham to Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central), making Joby the first company globally to complete such a journey within the UAE.
Vertiports in Dubai
The RTA also announced that Skyports Infrastructure, the UK-based developer of advanced aerial mobility facilities, has completed 60 per cent of construction on Dubai’s first vertiport.
Located near Dubai International Airport (DXB), the project has now reached its highest structural point and is the first of its kind worldwide.
Additional vertiports will be developed under agreements between RTA and Emaar Properties, Atlantis The Royal, and Wasl Asset Management Group.
These will be located at the Zabeel Dubai Mall parking area, on Palm Jumeirah within Atlantis The Royal, and at Dubai Marina within the American University in Dubai parking zone.
Four vertiports are planned for the initial 2026 network.
Future mobility
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said the successful crewed flight reflects the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to position Dubai as a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility.
He said: “The successful completion by Joby Aviation of the first 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.”
He added that progress on the DXB vertiport and new agreements with major Dubai developers reinforces RTA’s strategy to expand its network of aerial taxi stations across the emirate.
Fast, convenient travel
Al Tayer said the aerial taxi service represents a major step toward safer, more efficient and more sustainable modes of transport.
The journey between Dubai International Airport and Palm Jumeirah is expected to take around 10 minutes, compared with roughly 45 minutes by car.
He continued: “The aerial taxi will offer a distinctive new service for residents and visitors of Dubai seeking a fast, safe, and convenient way to travel between key destinations across the city… supporting seamless multimodal travel and strengthening citywide connectivity to deliver a smooth and comfortable passenger experience.”
Aerial mobility ambitions
JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, said: “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.”
Skyports CEO Duncan Walker stated: “Vertiports are fundamental to the success of the advanced aerial mobility system. With this pivotal milestone reached, we are witnessing a historic moment in the sector’s journey as Dubai positions itself to become the first city in the world to make advanced aerial mobility a tangible reality.”
Joby’s eVTOL aircraft
Joby’s electric air taxi is designed for urban environments, with vertical take-off and landing capability, six rotors, four battery packs and zero operational emissions.
The aircraft has a range of up to 160km, a top speed of 320kmph, and seats four passengers plus a pilot. The company continues regular flight testing in partnership with RTA, DCAA, GCAA and DANS.
The main vertiport near DXB spans 3,100sq m across four floors, including take-off pads, charging zones, parking areas and air-conditioned passenger facilities.
It is designed to handle around 42,000 landings annually, serving approximately 170,000 passengers.
All vertiports are being constructed to international safety standards. Skyports will handle design, construction and operations, while RTA oversees governance and integration with wider transport networks.
2026 launch plan
RTA’s aerial taxi initiative follows a 2024 agreement with Joby Aviation, Skyports Infrastructure Limited, the General Civil Aviation Authority and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.
Under this partnership, Dubai is set to become the first city in the world to offer urban aerial transport through a network of vertical take-off and landing aerial taxis.
Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in 2026.
