Dubai is set to revolutionize urban transportation as it gears up to launch fully operational flying taxis by 2026. This groundbreaking announcement was made by Duncan Walker ‘CEO of Skyports’ during the closing day of the 3rd Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport.
Skyports, the company responsible for constructing the UAE’s first vertiport, is leading this ambitious project.
The flying taxi service will be based near Dubai International Airport (DXB) and will initially operate to and from vertiport stations in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, and Dubai Marina.
Walker emphasized that by 2026, Dubai would be the world’s first city with a comprehensive network of vertiports dedicated to permanent air taxi services.
This innovative venture is expected to drastically reduce travel time. For instance, the journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah will be cut down from 46 minutes to just 6 minutes.
The aerial taxis are designed to travel at a maximum distance of 241 km, cruising at speeds of up to 300 km per hour.
Beyond saving time, these flying taxis also offer numerous other advantages over traditional ground transportation. They operate with a zero-carbon mission, contributing significantly to reducing ground congestion.
Walker praised Dubai’s contemporary infrastructure, world-class airports, and the unwavering support of the Dubai Government, attributing the city’s reputation as a global benchmark in aviation and sports to these factors.
He concluded by stating that the Aerial Taxi project, along with other aviation initiatives in Dubai, is poised to propel the emirate to the forefront of global cities leading the way in advancing air mobility.