logo
UAE's air taxis: How soon will it take for 10- or 20-minute trips to become popular?

UAE's air taxis: How soon will it take for 10- or 20-minute trips to become popular?

Gulf News18-04-2025
In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, full-fledged air taxi services is heading for early 2026 launch
Last updated:
Manoj Nair (Business Editor) and
Dhanusha Gokulan, Chief Reporter
Dubai: Complete a trip from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in less than 30 minutes? Or a 10-minute trip to a hotel on the Palm Jumeirah from Dubai International Airport.
That's just the option moving ever closer on the horizon for all those in the UAE who are currently making do with 90-minute or more road trips between emirates. Or take anywhere from 30-60 minutes depending on the traffic within an emirate.
Whether it's Archer Aviation in Abu Dhabi or Joby Aviation in Dubai, the launch schedules for air taxi services on electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the UAE is set for late 2025 or early 2026.
The 'verti-ports' that will be the base for the electric air taxis are also getting built in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, all done with an eye on meeting the launch schedules.
And thus opening up possibilities for a whole new mode of all-electric transportation.
'The timeline (of late 2025 or early 2026 launch) is ambitious, but realistic - especially here in the UAE, where decision-making is fast and aligned across agencies,' said Stephane Timpano, CEO of Aspire and A2RL. (A2RL is part of Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council.)
'Launching in 2026 doesn't mean the skies will be full of air taxis overnight. It means we'll see the first commercial services introduced, likely in limited corridors and with close regulatory oversight.
'It's the beginning of a gradual rollout, which is exactly how it should be. Early use cases will build public trust, which is essential for broader adoption.'
That's exactly the point.
Scaling up
The build-up and rollout of air taxi services based on eVTOL aircraft will be incremental, with the regulator and operators keeping a keen eye on balancing demand with actual supply-side needs.
Because these services will come up with a premium rate, at least in the initial phase of use.
'Initial pricing (of inter-emirate air taxi services) will likely reflect the cost of new technology and limited scale,' said Timpano.
'In pilot markets like Los Angeles, early air taxi services are likely to be positioned as premium offerings. But as more operators enter the market and infrastructure matures, costs will come down, just as they did with ride-hailing.
'Over time, we can expect tiered pricing models, with shorter or shared trips becoming more accessible. The key is to start with safety and reliability, and let scale bring affordability.'
How many can these eVTOL aircraft carry?
Archer Aviation will be providing its 'Midnight' aircraft for the Abu Dhabi operations. The Midnight is a four-passenger aircraft designed for 'back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between flights'.
The Joby aircraft – which was shown last year at the World Governments Summit for the first time - too is built on a pilot and four-passenger seating format. Joby Aviation will also build-and-operate the four initial vertiport sites in Dubai for the air taxis – at Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and the Downtown.
'One of the key advantages of electric vertical aircraft is that they avoid the heavy infrastructure burden of traditional transit systems,' said Antonio Semeraro, Principal - Travel, Transportation and Hospitality practice at the consultancy Arthur D. Little, Middle East.
'Constructing a metro line can take a decade and cost billions.
'In contrast, eVTOLs can operate from compact vertiports integrated into rooftops, parking structures, or transport hubs, allowing cities to deploy aerial mobility solutions much faster and at a lower cost per site.
'While eVTOLs will not match the capacity of mass transit modes like buses or metros, they serve a different purpose - high-speed, point-to-point travel for priority corridors, business users, and tourism.'
Abu Dhabi's getting the 'Midnight'
It was late March that Abu Dhabi Aviation Group signed up with Archer to bring the first fleet of its Midnight electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, starting this year. Apart from the aircraft, Archer will bring 'experienced pilots, technicians, and engineers' for the full-scale rollout of the services.
'As a leading force in the aviation industry across the region and the largest helicopter operator in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi Aviation has the expertise to develop a scalable urban air mobility service,' said Nader Al Hammadi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Aviation, in a statement.
'We are excited to lead the way in launching the region's electric air taxi service, starting right here in Abu Dhabi.'
For now, the three vertiports in Abu Dhabi will be built at Bateen, Yas Island and Khalifa Port.
What about pricing?
No formal announcements on what the rates would be for passengers have been made to date. Speculation is that it would be in the region of Dh300 or just over.
But one thing is for sure – air taxis will be a premium service.
As for pricing, it is realistic to expect that services will initially be offered as a premium form of public transport,' said Semeraro.
'This reflects the early-stage economics of the industry, including limited fleet availability and initial piloted operations.
'However, this does not mean the service will be inaccessible.
'A strong initial use case - particularly in the UAE - is tourism, where air taxis can provide a unique alternative to traditional helicopter tours.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

TRENDS, WGS Foundation discuss partnership prospects and role of research in creating effective solutions for future challenges
TRENDS, WGS Foundation discuss partnership prospects and role of research in creating effective solutions for future challenges

Al Etihad

time2 days ago

  • Al Etihad

TRENDS, WGS Foundation discuss partnership prospects and role of research in creating effective solutions for future challenges

23 July 2025 12:10 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Within the framework of its ongoing efforts to strengthen research and knowledge partnerships with leading institutions, TRENDS Research & Advisory discussed with Mr. Mohamed Yousef Al-Sharhan, Managing Director of the World Governments Summit (WGS) Foundation, ways to expand future collaboration and the role of scientific research in analysing global developments, anticipating their implications, and creating effective solutions for future discussion took place during a dialogue session held at the Foundation's headquarters at the Prime Minister's and Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS, were joined by TRENDS sector heads and WGS Foundation two sides discussed potential areas of collaboration and TRENDS' contributions as a member of the WGS Community in the upcoming edition of the World Governments Summit, scheduled for talks built on TRENDS' active participation in previous editions, particularly its role in empowering young researchers and providing in-depth analytical studies to shape constructive future Yousef Al-Sharhan stressed that "scientific research is the cornerstone for building governments of the future," praising TRENDS' prominent role as a WGS Community member in advancing knowledge and fostering youth engagement. He added, 'TRENDS' participation in the Summit adds significant value, given its strong scientific content and high-quality analytical outputs that address emerging challenges and support development and empowerment efforts.'He further noted, 'The World Governments Summit Foundation believes foresight begins with scientific thinking and deep analysis. Partnering with leading think tanks such as TRENDS strengthens our mission to provide knowledge platforms that tackle global issues with innovation and collaboration.'Dr. Al-Ali reaffirmed that 'TRENDS' participation in the World Governments Summit reflects its commitment to building an integrated research ecosystem that keeps pace with global transformations and supports decision-making.' He added that 'the Summit serves as a global platform for exchanging insights and expertise with policymakers and experts, enabling TRENDS to showcase its research and knowledge outputs that promote youth empowerment and foster a culture of research innovation.'Al-Ali emphasised, 'TRENDS is proud to be a member of the WGS Community, which allows it to actively contribute to this dynamic network that serves as an ideal platform for sharing knowledge and formulating proactive solutions to future challenges, in collaboration with global decision-makers and experts.'TRENDS is expected to substantially impact the 2026 edition of the Summit by presenting specialised studies and organising sessions on strategic topics such as artificial intelligence, geopolitical transformations, and youth empowerment. The centre will also continue introducing research indicators aligned with modern governance requirements, reinforcing preparedness and has actively participated in previous WGS editions through in-depth studies, high-level dialogue sessions, and initiatives to prepare young contributions have enriched discussions on governance, digital transformation, and sustainable development, supporting the Summit's mission to build the governments of the WGS Community of Partners and Members is key to the Summit's network addresses complex global challenges and maximises positive impact worldwide by sharing expertise, perspectives, and resources. It provides a unique opportunity for collaborative and innovative thinking to shape the future of governance.

Joby expands manufacturing capacity in California and Ohio, adds new aircraft to its fleet
Joby expands manufacturing capacity in California and Ohio, adds new aircraft to its fleet

Zawya

time17-07-2025

  • Zawya

Joby expands manufacturing capacity in California and Ohio, adds new aircraft to its fleet

Ramping up newly renovated facility in Dayton, Ohio to manufacture and test aircraft components Leverages Toyota's manufacturing playbook to drive scale, quality and efficiency Adds new aircraft to Joby's fleet, showcasing acceleration of production Dubai, UAE – Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY), a company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, today announced the expansion of its site in Marina, California, which will double its aircraft production capacity at that location. The total site now spans approximately 435,500 square feet and will support the scale-up of commercial operations. Joby also expanded its flight test program with the addition of a new aircraft to its growing fleet. 'Reimagining urban mobility takes speed, scale, and precision manufacturing. Our expanded manufacturing footprint in both California and Ohio is preparing us to do just that,' said Eric Allison, Chief Product Officer. 'We celebrated the opening of the new facility with the flight of our sixth aircraft, which earned airworthiness certification within a week of completion.' The opening of the new manufacturing space is a big step forward as Joby gets ready to scale production and enter the market. Achieving this comes down to three key strengths: Committed to American Innovation: Drawing on top talent at its California and Ohio facilities, Joby designs, builds, and tests its aircraft in the US. Using tools like advanced data analytics and 3D printing, Joby produces components that are lighter, stronger and more flexible. With its newly expanded Marina facility, the Company plans to add hundreds of full-time jobs to support increased aircraft production. Advantage of Vertical Integration: Joby handles nearly every aspect of its aircraft and air taxi service in-house, from design and manufacturing to pilot training and operations. This vertical integration helps speed development, ensure quality, and accelerate testing and certification. It also lets Joby quickly and efficiently adapt its platform for other uses, including its hybrid hydrogen-electric propulsion testing. Close Collaboration with Toyota: Toyota engineers are deeply integrated with the Joby team, providing counsel to support Joby's work across design, manufacturing, and quality. Toyota also helps the Joby team optimize processes, streamline assembly, and offer advice related to the development of custom tooling to accelerate production. Once fully operational, the expanded Marina site is expected to be able to produce up to 24 aircraft per year, which is nearly one every other week. It will also provide key capabilities including its initial FAA production certification, conforming ground and flight testing components, pilot training simulators, and aircraft maintenance. This site strengthens Joby's broader manufacturing network, which includes three additional facilities: Santa Cruz, CA, the headquarters driving innovation and system architecture; San Carlos, CA, focused on powertrain and electronics; and Dayton, Ohio, a newly renovated facility that will manufacture and test aircraft components for Joby's Pilot Production Line. The Dayton site demonstrates the capabilities required for FAA production certification and supports the Company's plans to scale operations. Equipment installation is underway, with production ramping up to eventually build up to 500 aircraft a year at that location. Strong support from local workforce and community-based organizations, elected officials, city and county leaders, and nonprofit partners was instrumental in bringing the expanded facility to life. In 2023, Joby was awarded a $9.8 million dollar grant from the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) to accelerate its growth. The Company also benefited from a program through the California State Treasurer's Office, which helped reduce equipment costs by $10 million, supporting Joby's efforts to scale today and build the future of flight for tomorrow. Joby's founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt will speak at the Reindustrialize Summit in Detroit on July 16, 2025, at 3:25 p.m. ET, highlighting the company's US-based manufacturing efforts. About Joby Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY) is a California-based transportation company developing an all-electric, vertical take-off and landing air taxi which it intends to operate as part of a fast, quiet, and convenient service in cities around the world.

Air taxi maker Joby to double capacity after successful Dubai test flight
Air taxi maker Joby to double capacity after successful Dubai test flight

Arabian Business

time16-07-2025

  • Arabian Business

Air taxi maker Joby to double capacity after successful Dubai test flight

Joby Aviation, the Santa Cruz, California-based air taxi startup that successfully completed a series of piloted, vertical-takeoff-and-landing wingborne flights in Dubai in association with the Road and Transport Authority (RTA), has revealed plans to double aircraft output capacity at its main production site in California. Joby said it will expand its production site in Marina, California. The total site now spans approximately 435,500 square feet and will support the scale-up of commercial operations. The company's stock has soared about 42.2 per cent since it announced its Dubai test flights on June 30. The share was priced at US$9.81 on 1 July, and closed on Tuesday (5 July) at $13.95. Eric Allison, Chief Product Officer, commented: 'Reimagining urban mobility takes speed, scale, and precision manufacturing. Our expanded manufacturing footprint in both California and Ohio is preparing us to do just that. 'We celebrated the opening of the new facility with the flight of our sixth aircraft, which earned airworthiness certification within a week of completion.' Joby expands production for air taxis The opening of the new manufacturing space will be a big step forward as Joby gets ready to scale production and enter the market. Using tools like advanced data analytics and 3D printing, Joby produces components that are lighter, stronger and more flexible. With its newly expanded Marina facility, the company plans to add hundreds of full-time jobs to support increased aircraft production. Once fully operational, the expanded site is expected to be capable of producing up to 24 aircraft per year. It will also provide key capabilities, including its initial FAA production certification, conforming ground and flight-testing components, pilot training simulators, and aircraft maintenance. The Marina site strengthens Joby's broader manufacturing network, which includes three additional facilities – Santa Cruz, CA, the headquarters driving innovation and system architecture; San Carlos, CA, focused on powertrain and electronics; and in Dayton, Ohio, where a newly renovated facility that will manufacture and test aircraft components for Joby's Pilot Production Line. The Dayton site supports Joby's plans to scale operations. Equipment installation is underway, with production ramping up to eventually build up to 500 aircraft a year at that location. Joby said that engineers from Toyota Motors, which became its largest shareholders in May, are 'deeply integrated' into operations in areas such as design, manufacturing and quality control. Toyota engineers also help the Joby team optimise processes, streamline assembly, and offer advice related to the development of custom tooling to accelerate production.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store