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A First Glimpse Of Dubai’s Air Taxis Flying Past Local Landmarks

The city’s first vertiport will be close to Dubai International Airport and connected to the Emirates Metro Station.

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a first glimpse of dubai's air taxis flying past local landmarks
Dubai Media Office

Once the preserve of science fiction movies, air taxis are being tested in cities worldwide, with Dubai’s own service set to take to the skies by 2026. With the taxis becoming a realistic prospect for the tech-focused city, the Government of Dubai Media Office has just released several artist impressions of the aircraft in action.

The photo-realistic depictions give a flavor of what tourists and locals will see as they queue at one of Dubai’s four vertiports before speeding between Downtown Dubai near the Burj Khalifa to Dubai Marina, the International Airport, and Palm Jumeirah.

A Look At Dubai’s First Vertiport

The first vertiport will be located near the Dubai International Airport, with the roof acting as a terminal for the aerial passenger vehicles. Tourists and business fliers will be able to access the vertiport using an air-conditioned bridge connecting the Emirates Metro Station.

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Comprising two levels of car parking, the vertiport is revealed as having a futuristic design with accommodation for four taxi stands and two landing areas. As well as a waiting area for passengers, the transport hub will have plenty of electric charging stations and integrate seamlessly with the rest of Dubai’s planned next-generation infrastructure.

The Aircraft

Unveiled at the World Government Summit, the sky taxis are all-electric, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles capable of 300 kmph. The craft can whisk four passengers across the city and boast an impressive range of 241 km.

The Red Tape

The RTA is working closely with Dubai Air Navigation Services and the Civil (and General) Aviation Authority to ensure high standards and safety levels for the planned air taxis service.

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According to Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, the project consists of two main stages:

“The operation is composed of crucial elements. They include a detailed negotiation with a multitude of companies active in this field, signing of commercial agreements [and the] development of the necessary infrastructure and the highly anticipated roll-out of the service.

“The second stage involves identifying a potential partner for investing in the infrastructure needed to introduce autonomous aerial taxis to Dubai’s skies. At present, commercial negotiations are in progress with the most promising and specialized investors globally in the realm of air mobility to construct the requisite infrastructure,” says Mattar Al Tayer.

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Google Pay Launches In Lebanon With Support From Multiple Banks

Bank Audi, Neo Digital Bank, and Whish Money are all offering support for Mastercard and Visa cardholders.

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google pay launches in lebanon with support from multiple banks
neo Bank Audi

Google Pay has officially launched in Lebanon, allowing Android users to make secure, contactless payments via their smartphones. The rollout has been quickly supported by BLOM, BLF, Whish Money, Bank Audi, and its digital banking offshoot Neo Digital Bank. Customers of all three services can now add eligible Mastercard and Visa payment cards to their Google Wallets.

The integration enables in-store tap-to-pay transactions, as well as online and in-app purchases, using the same cards users already carry. For Bank Audi and Neo Digital Bank, the launch covers Mastercard products; for Whish Money, BLOM, and BLF it includes Visa cards. Payments are processed through the Google Pay platform, which maintains cardholder privacy while extending standard card protections.

To begin using the service, customers can download the Google Wallet app from Google Play, select “Add to Wallet,” and follow a short verification process. Once set up, payments can be made with a single tap — eliminating the need to carry physical cards or cash.

Also Read: Oakley And Meta Reveal Performance-Focused AI Smart Glasses

“This launch represents a significant milestone in our commitment to digital innovation and customer convenience,” said Toufic Koussa, CEO at Whish Money. “By making Whish Visa Card available on Google Pay, we’re enabling our customers to make everyday transactions faster, more secure, and more inclusive. It’s about giving them the tools they need to transact seamlessly, wherever they are”.

The move follows the official activation of Google Pay in Lebanon on June 24, 2025, and marks a notable expansion of mobile payment options in a market where Apple Pay has yet to gain traction. Google’s entry is expected to increase digital wallet adoption among Android users and pave the way for further collaborations with regional financial institutions.

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