Dubai is set to become the world’s first city with a regular air taxi service, if a new agreement between US firm Joby Aviation and Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) goes to plan.
Slashing emissions and journey time
The air taxis could be operating in the UAE by 2026, with some services in place by as early as next year. Resembling helicopters and using vertical take off and landing, the so-called eVTOL air taxis have zero operating emissions.
With room for a pilot and four passengers, the aerial cab has a top speed of around 200 mph (321 km/h) and could slash journey time for passengers heading from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to artificial island Palm Jumeirah to just 10 minutes, instead of the current 45 minutes by road. The cost of a ride in an air taxi is yet to be established but has been modelled as similar to existing ride share options.
We’re looking forward to delivering an incredible experience for residents and visitors to Dubai as early as 2025, linking top destinations across the city at the press of a button. Check out a vision of what our Dubai service will look and feel like. pic.twitter.com/iCmRZaCEK2
— Joby Aviation (@jobyaviation) February 11, 2024
As well as the airport and Palm Jumeirah, other take-off and landing zones have been proposed, including Dubai Marina and Dubai Downtown. British infrastructure company Skyports will design, manufacture, and run the first four ‘vertiport’ sites across Dubai. These will no doubt draw on previous concepts from Foster+Partners, whose Head of Studio David Summerfield praised the air taxi’s ability to provide “seamless, sustainable travel across the city for international and domestic passengers.”
Stock value up
Amid a competitive air taxi space, where German company Lillium and Californian neighbour and Boeing-backed Archer jostle among others for investors, certifications and contracts, Joby has pushed its head above the parapet. It has raised more than two billion dollars and showcased technology that it claims makes their cabs quieter than others, as well as receiving critical permits from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), establishing two manufacturing bases in California and Ohio, and carrying out test flights in New York.
Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt has identified a number of core elements in the Dubai deal that he says will make it a grower. These include a defined path to operations; the right infrastructure and strong partnerships; and the right aircraft especially in terms of capacity and range.
Investors seem to agree with him: Joby stock value has seen increases of 6% since announcing its Dubai contract – a deal particularly favourable to Joby thanks to a six-year exclusivity clause awarding the firm sole rights to operate air taxis in Dubai for long enough to build up its presence and brand recognition.
