The taxis will take flight in 2026.
Flying taxis sound like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, but in Dubai, it will soon become a reality. Back in 2024, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, gave air taxis a thumbs up. The aim set then was for air taxis to be operational within three years, and it appears that this goal is finally being achieved, with Dubai also becoming the first city to roll out flying taxis.
By 2026, Dubai will launch the world’s first city-wide electric flying taxi service. The service promises quick, low-cost flights—around 10 minutes—between some of the city’s busiest landmarks.
This announcement was made at the World Governments Summit held in the city in 2024. The flying taxi, the first of its kind on the planet, will accommodate up to four passengers. Equipped with six propellers and four battery packs, it will boast a maximum range of 160 kilometres and speeds. And if Sheikh Zayed Road traffic gives you road rage, then you’ll be excited to hear that the taxis can reach a maximum speed of 321 kilometres per hour, drastically reducing journey times.
So how can you hop into one? Forget about airports, the flying taxi stops in Dubai will be known as vertiports. The taxis will initially connect four areas of Dubai: Dubai International Airport, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah. The first official flight is set to take off from the vertiport at Dubai International Airport, marking the beginning of what could become a revolutionary mode of transport.
Plus, the vertiports will include four stands for aerial taxis and two landing areas, which will be connected to metro stations. The prices for individual rides are yet to be announced, but the convenience and efficiency they promise are undeniable.
Images of the flying taxis and vertiports were unveiled in 2023. The world-famous architecture firm, Foster + Partners, is behind the designs. The designs include bright, sleek vertiports and taxis that look like a cross between a drone and a helicopter.
The launch of aerial taxis marks an exciting milestone for Dubai, further solidifying the city’s reputation as a global leader in technological innovation and urban mobility. This ambitious project promises to elevate Dubai’s transportation infrastructure to new heights, offering a glimpse into the future of urban transportation. There are also plans in the pipeline to extend the service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. So strap in, it’s going to be an exciting ride.
GO: Visit www.rta.ae for more information.