Electric aircraft company Joby Aviation, has announced an agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to introduce air taxi services in the Emirate by early 2026, with plans for initial operations as soon as 2025.

The agreement, formalized at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, grants Joby exclusive rights to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years. The partnership aims to position Dubai as a global leader in swift, environmentally friendly, and noise-conscious air travel using Joby’s groundbreaking technology.

JoeBen Bevirt, CEO and founder of Joby Aviation, commented: “It is an honor to partner with the government of Dubai to demonstrate the value of sustainable air travel to the world. Today’s landmark agreement delivers on all three ingredients required to successfully launch an air taxi service – a definitive path to operations, well-placed infrastructure supported by dedicated partners, and an aircraft with the capacity and range to deliver meaningful journeys”.

Joby has also forged an agreement with Skyports, who are tasked with the design, construction, and management of four initial vertiport sites at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Dubai Downtown.

Joby’s aircraft, unveiled for the first time in the region at the World Governments Summit, is engineered to accommodate a pilot and four passengers, achieving speeds of up to 200 miles per hour for a projected travel time of just 10 minutes from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah, as opposed to the 45 minutes it takes by car.

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His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors for RTA, also released a statement, explaining, “The air taxi service is part of RTA’s efforts to embrace future transportation technologies and offers a novel and efficient mobility option for Dubai’s residents and visitors, enabling fast, safe, and convenient travel to key city spots. This service will also enhance seamless multimodal transportation, improving citywide connectivity and ensuring a smooth travel experience for passengers”.

In the future, RTA, Joby, and Skyports will integrate the service into Dubai’s broader public transportation network. Joby has established a local operating entity to bolster its operations in Dubai and plans to predominantly hire locally for its operational team. Additionally, the company is open to localizing other global business activities in Dubai and the surrounding region.