Dubai completes region's first Joby air taxi test flight ahead of 2026 launch
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed the region's first test flight of an aerial taxi in partnership with Joby Aviation, marking a step towards commercial urban air mobility services in the emirate.
The test flight took place at a desert test site in Dubai, with the Joby Aerial Taxi demonstrating its vertical take-off and landing capabilities.
The flight forms part of daily test operations designed to evaluate the aircraft's performance in local environmental conditions ahead of commercial deployment.
Dubai has successfully completed the region's first test flight of the Joby Aerial Taxi. Conducted through a collaboration between the Roads and Transport Authority and Joby Aviation, the test flight marks a major step toward launching full operations next year. The all-electric… pic.twitter.com/HPknqvNBwD
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) June 30, 2025
Dubai successfully tests all-electric air taxi in regional first
Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended the test flight and emphasised Dubai's commitment to transport innovation.
'Dubai continues to lead the way in shaping the future of mobility, guided by the strategic vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. This achievement also reflects our commitment to placing the UAE at the forefront of transformative technologies that drive global progress. Further, the successful aerial taxi test flight demonstrates our determination to transform breakthrough technologies into practical solutions that enhance quality of life and set new international benchmarks for urban development,' Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai said in a statement.
The Crown Prince linked the initiative to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the UAE's sustainable development vision.
'As we work to realise the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, within the framework of the UAE's sustainable development vision, the integration of aerial mobility into our transport ecosystem is a step towards ensuring the city's infrastructure is built around the needs of future generations. Our initiatives aim to make life easier for people, creating new opportunities, and reinforcing Dubai's position as the best city in the world to live, work, and visit,' he added.
The Joby Aerial Taxi operates on electric power, producing zero emissions during flight. The aircraft features six rotors and four battery packs, enabling a flight range of up to 160 kilometres and a maximum speed of 320 kilometres per hour.
The aircraft accommodates four passengers plus a pilot and operates at lower noise levels than conventional helicopters.
Its vertical take-off and landing functionality requires minimal horizontal space for operations at vertiports.
The test operations utilise facilities developed in collaboration with Shamal Holding. The infrastructure includes a dedicated vertiport for aerial vehicles, a hangar equipped with flight monitoring and tracking systems, and electric charging technology.
Dignitaries present at the test flight included Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority; Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General, General Civil Aviation Authority; Ahmed Ali Al Balqeizi, Executive Director of the Aviation Safety and Environment Sector – Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; and Ibrahim Hussain Ahli, Executive Director – Dubai Air Navigation Services.
RTA Director General Mattar Al Tayer outlined the service's potential impact on travel times across Dubai.
'The launch of the air taxi's trial operation reflects the leadership's vision to advance sustainable and innovative mobility across all public and shared transport modes. It underscores Dubai's commitment to keeping pace with rapid global transformations and developing future-ready solutions to emerging mobility challenges,' Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said.
'The aerial taxi will introduce a new premium service for residents and visitors seeking smooth, fast, and safe travel to key destinations across the city. A journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah, for example, is expected to take just 12 minutes, compared to approximately 45 minutes by car. The service will also strengthen integration with public transport systems and individual mobility options such as e-scooters and bicycles, enabling seamless multimodal travel and enhanced connectivity across the city, ensuring a smooth and convenient experience for all passengers,' he added.
JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, and Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency, briefed officials on project milestones. Commercial aerial taxi station operations will begin near Dubai International Airport in 2026, with the inaugural commercial flight scheduled for that year.
'Dubai serves as a launchpad for a global revolution in mobility, and flying our aircraft here represents a pivotal step towards integrating Aerial Taxi services into the fabric of daily life around the world. Thanks to our forward-looking strategic partnership with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, we are helping shape a future where clean and quiet aviation becomes the new norm. At the same time, we are proud to reinforce the global presence of American innovation. This achievement is the result of close collaboration and a strong relationship between Joby and the Roads and Transport Authority. It underscores the company's leading role in shaping the future of mobility and reaffirms the UAE's global leadership in adopting advanced air mobility solutions,' Bevirt said.
At the beginning of 2024, Dubai's RTA signed an agreement to launch the aerial taxi service with multiple partners including the General Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, British company Skyports Infrastructure, and Joby Aviation.
The agreement establishes Dubai as the first city worldwide to offer urban air mobility through a vertical take-off and landing infrastructure network for aerial taxis.
Joby Aviation's operational testing in Dubai follows two years of flight trials in hot-weather conditions at Edwards Air Force Base in the United States.
The company has accumulated over 15 years of engineering development, more than 40,000 miles of test flights, and multiple piloted transition flights.
The company operates several aircraft simultaneously, supporting its goal of making aerial mobility accessible for daily use.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Business
an hour ago
- Arabian Business
UAE travel update: flydubai announces flight cancellation latest
UAE air travel disruption is starting to ease, but flydubai has a mixture of ongoing flight suspensions and a return to normal service on selected flights. Flydubai said it will resume flights to St. Petersburg in Russia from Wednesday, and that Iran flights face further suspensions. Following a period of sustained suspensions, flights to the following countries are now operating: Iraq Israel Jordan Lebanon Syria UAE flight suspensions In a statement, the airline said: 'flydubai has returned to full operations across its network following the lifting of most airspace restrictions in the region. 'Flights to St. Petersburg in Russia will resume from July 2, and all other flights to Russia are operating. 'Flights to Iran, with the exception of Mashhad, remain suspended until July 5. 'Flights to Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria are operating. 'We continue to monitor the situation closely and amend our schedule as required, adding more capacity or revisions where necessary'. UAE travel update: flydubai flight status (as of June 30, 2025) Destination Flight status Notes Russia (St. Petersburg) Suspended until July 2 Flights resume from Wednesday Russia (Other cities) Operating normally All other Russian destinations operational Iran Suspended until July 5 Flights expected to resume after that date Iraq Operating Flights have resumed Israel Operating Flights have resumed Jordan Operating Flights have resumed Lebanon Operating Flights have resumed Syria Operating Flights have resumed
Arabian Business
5 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Middle East business travel surges to $18.1bn in 2024 with 6.1% growth forecast for 2025
The business travel sector in the Middle East is expanding at a faster pace than the global average, with the market reaching $18.1bn in 2024 and projected to grow by 6.1 per cent year-on-year into 2025, according to new research by Tumodo. Compared to late 2024, the volume of business travel bookings across the region rose by 40 per cent, underscoring renewed demand for corporate mobility and technologically advanced travel services. Tumodo attributes the rise to digital innovation, improved travel infrastructure, and post-Ramadan business momentum—April and May were the busiest months in H1 2025. Middle East business travel The broader MENA corporate travel market is expected to grow significantly, reaching $270.8bn by 2030, driven by economic diversification efforts, infrastructure investments, and cross-border business activity. Saudi Arabia emerged as the most travelled-to destination in the MENA region, accounting for 20 per cent of all trips. Other key destinations included: United Kingdom: 15 per cent France and India: 10 per cent each Oman: 5 per cent These trends reflect deepening trade and investment ties between the Middle East and major European and Asian markets. Regional carriers dominated the skies, with Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and Qatar Airways ranked as the top airlines among business travellers. India remained the most affordable route, while the United Kingdom topped the list for premium travel—both in airfare and accommodation costs. Dubai continues to serve as a vital travel hub with frequent routes to global business centres such as Riyadh, London, and Guangzhou. Demand for additional corporate travel services is also rising: Visa support increased by 15 per cent Ground transfers grew by 11 per cent Corporate event bookings rose by 7.25 per cent The average trip duration remained short—just two days—but more travellers are now blending work with leisure, fuelling the rise of 'bleisure' travel. Premium stays remain popular, with 75 per cent of bookings in four- and five-star hotels. Thanks to AI-powered features, Tumodo clients experienced a 12 per cent drop in average airfare costs in H1 2025. Meanwhile, overall booking values rose by just 2 per cent, compared to a 10 per cent industry average. Tools such as customisable travel policies, approval workflows, real-time analytics, and CO₂ emissions tracking enabled clients to optimise travel while supporting UAE's Environment Vision 2030. Stan Klyuy, CCO of Tumodo, said: 'The impressive 50 per cent year-on-year growth we've seen this year signals a shift from recovery to reinvention. With average airfares down by 12 per cent and hotel bookings up only by 2 per cent, we're helping businesses travel more efficiently by lowering emissions, saving time, and optimising cost using our AI tools and deep data. 'We're focused on growing throughout the GCC and Europe in the future, as well as improving the platform with more intricate integrations and predictive capabilities'. As global corporate travel rebounds, industry analysts project worldwide spending to exceed $1tn in 2025. The Middle East is expected to lead growth, with a regional expansion rate of 6.19 per cent—among the highest globally.
Arabian Business
5 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Dubai's luxury property buyers prioritise lifestyle, privacy and architectural design
Luxury real estate investors in Dubai seek privacy, exclusivity and lifestyle amenities, according to research from MERED. The real estate developer behind ICONIC Residences Design by Pininfarina, released its buyer insights based on engagements during the first half of 2025. The report outlines shifting preferences among high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) investing in Dubai's premium residential market. The findings highlight a growing preference for lifestyle-led investments, functional layouts, and wellness-driven design, particularly among a younger generation of investors from sectors such as tech, digital finance, and crypto. Luxury Dubai real estate trends The report identifies the top factors influencing purchase decisions among Dubai's premium buyers: Privacy and exclusivity – 65 per cent Architectural quality and design – 60 per cent Location and connectivity – 55 per cent Long-term investment value – 50 per cent Lifestyle amenities and services – 45 per cent Capital appreciation potential – sought by nearly all investors Demand is strongest for one and two-bedroom layouts, which offer greater flexibility and are well suited to both personal use and short-term rental strategies. Purchases are becoming more purpose-driven, with 45 per cent buying for self-use, 30 per cent for investment, and 25 per cent opting for a hybrid model that combines both. Buyers aged between 40 and 50 still make up the majority of the market from diverse professional backgrounds, including finance, private equity, trading, legal, and healthcare. However, a growing number of younger buyers are entering the Dubai real estate market, said MERED. More than 85 per cent of buyers asked about amenities in their initial conversations, pointing to increasing demand for lifestyle-enhancing features: Private terraces, padel courts, yoga studios, and indoor cinemas Ice-spas, kids' play areas, and wellness-focused design Medical-grade air filtration and ultra-purified water systems Wooden flooring and heated bathrooms Michael Belton, CEO of MERED, said: 'Today's generation of investors is sophisticated and discerning, expecting timeless architecture, wellness integration, and a genuine sense of community. At MERED, we see this as an opportunity to set a new benchmark with projects that speak to ambition, identity, and the way people want to live and invest in their future.' The MERED analysis highlighted four key motivations that consistently influence final purchase decisions: Around 40 per cent of buyers are most drawn to the architectural quality and design pedigree of the project Another 30 per cent cite long-term investment value and returns as their primary driver A further 20 per cent are motivated by lifestyle and the surrounding sense of community 10 per cent are focused on the developer's track record
