Dubai Targets Traffic Relief with 2026 Air Taxi Launch
Join our FREE WhatsApp channel to dive into a world of real-time engagement!
The California-based company is working closely with Dubai authorities to integrate airborne transport into the city's existing mobility systems. If all goes to plan, travelers could be soaring over Sheikh Zayed Road as early as next year.
From DXB to Palm Jumeirah in 12 Minutes
Imagine getting from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Palm Jumeirah in just 12 minutes. That's the kind of time-saving Joby promises with its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The same trip currently takes around 45 minutes by car, especially during peak hours.
'We want to change the way people commute,' said Anthony Khoury, Joby's General Manager for the UAE. 'Our goal is to ease traffic congestion and give people a faster, more convenient option.'
While Joby aims to eventually make its air taxis accessible to everyone, Khoury admits the early pricing will be premium, much like any new technology at launch.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Gulf Moments (@gulf.moments)
A Successful First Test in the Desert
On June 30, Joby Aviation held a demonstration flight at a remote desert site southeast of downtown Dubai. The event was attended by senior government officials, transport executives, and media.
The test flight simulated a typical air taxi journey, vertical takeoff, several miles of flight, and a smooth vertical landing. The performance impressed attendees and showed just how close the UAE is to launching this futuristic form of transportation.
Quiet, Clean, and Fast
Joby's eVTOL aircraft can fly up to 160 kilometers (100 miles) at speeds of 320 km/h (200 mph). And it's fully electric, meaning zero emissions and minimal noise, a critical factor for a city where residential areas and skyscrapers are tightly packed.
'It will be flying in the city, next to residential areas, and hopefully people will barely notice it,' Khoury said.
What's Next for Dubai's Air Taxi Plans?
The test flight is just one step in a broader vision. Joby and Dubai's transport authorities still need to overcome a few challenges, mainly regulatory approval and building enough vertiports (think helipads for air taxis) around the city.
But with Dubai's track record for adopting cutting-edge innovation, the city seems well on track to make air taxis a reality by 2026.
So don't be surprised if your next trip to the airport is just a short hop through the sky.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
19 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Look: Flydubai introduces smart gates for its pilots, cabin crew
Dubai-based Flydubai to implement smart border control solutions for its pilots and cabin crew, partnering with emaratech, a leading technology organisation in the UAE. Located at the carrier's Airport Operations Centre, the new smart gates utilise advanced biometric technology, AI-driven verification and real-time data integration to streamline immigration processes. This provides a faster and more efficient immigration experience for its flight operations, supporting the carrier's commitment to operational efficiency, especially during busy travel periods. Thani Alzaffin, Group Chief Executive Officer of emaratech, said, "Through the integration of AI-powered facial recognition technology, our smart gates seamlessly connect with both flydubai's and immigration's platforms, enabling real-time validation and a truly frictionless journey." Alzaffin added, "By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, we are shaping a future where innovation drives convenience and trust at every checkpoint. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with flydubai across future initiatives that further enhance the travel experience for both passengers and crew." Mohammed Hareb AlMheiri, Chief Procurement & Technology Officer at flydubai, said, 'We always look for opportunities to harness the latest technologies that support our growth and operational efficiencies and with the introduction of these biometric smart gates, this marks another step towards fostering a more seamless, punctual and secure operation as we future-proof our systems." The carrier continues to invest in technologies that improve the daily experience of its frontline teams. Six smart biometric gates have been installed at the flydubai Airport Operations Centre where the crew report for their flights. Flydubai has created a growing network of more than 135 destinations served by a modern and efficient fleet of 89 aircraft. The carrier has also built a strong workforce of more than 6,400 employees, more than 1,300 of whom are pilots along with 2,500 cabin crew. From its home in Dubai, flydubai has created a network of more than 135 destinations served by a fleet of 89 aircraft. Since commencing operations in June 2009, flydubai has been committed to removing barriers to travel, creating free flows of trade and tourism and enhancing connectivity between different cultures across its ever-expanding network.
Zawya
21 minutes ago
- Zawya
DSS 2025 unveils AED20mln in prizes With Citywide Raffles and Retail Promotions
Only-in-Dubai raffles and retail promotions offer shoppers across the city the chance to win incredible prizes all summer, from millions of Dirhams to luxury cars and gold in weekly draws Part of a refreshed calendar of three specially curated retail seasons - Summer Holiday Offers, Great Dubai Summer Sale, and Back to School - DSS continues to deliver Dubai's most rewarding retail experiences, with unforgettable prizes around every corner Dubai, United Arab Emirates: As part of the most value-packed edition in its 28-year history, Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2025 is giving residents and visitors the chance to win big all season long, with AED 20 million worth of prizes waiting to be claimed. Running until 31 August, this year's citywide line-up of raffles and promotions promises a summer well spent with thousands of thrilling chances to win at every turn for residents and visitors alike. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the summer-long campaign features some of the biggest raffles and rewards ever launched in Dubai. From millions of Dirhams to luxury cars and dazzling jewellery, as well as loyalty points and surprise giveaways, every purchase could unlock a jaw-dropping prize. With thousands of activations and citywide participation from leading malls, retailers, and loyalty platforms, DSS 2025 makes every spend a moment to win. Part of a refreshed calendar of three specially curated retail seasons for the first time in the festival's history, DSS continues to deliver Dubai's most rewarding retail experiences for residents and visitors alike. Whether shopping during Summer Holiday Offers from 27 June to 17 July, scoring the season's biggest deals during the Great Dubai Summer Sale from 18 July to 10 August, or gearing up for Back to School from 11 to 31 August, every spend this summer unlocks new possibilities, making DSS 2025 a season where value meets excitement at every turn. INCREDIBLE RAFFLES The DSS Raffle Campaign by Dubai Shopping Malls Group gives shoppers the chance to win one of nine brand-new Nissan Magnite vehicles. Anyone who spends AED 200 at participating malls citywide will receive a digital raffle coupon and be entered into weekly draws, with winners announced every Friday until 1 September. Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group's DSS Raffle is back, with 30 gold bars to be won across the season. Shoppers who spend AED 1,000 or more at participating jewellery outlets will be entered into raffle draws, with 30 winners taking home 12 gram gold bars each. In addition, the Visa Jewellery Programme offers shoppers even more sparkle, with 50 winners set to receive AED 3,500 jewellery vouchers, totalling AED 175,000 in prizes. Customers who shop using a Visa card at participating jewellery retailers during DSS 2025 will automatically enter the draw, making every purchase a golden opportunity. LIMITED-TIME SALES & EXCLUSIVE OFFERS An epic 9 weeks of unbeatable promotions and exclusive in-store offers has kicked off as part of the summer-long DSS Sales Season, commencing with the exclusive Summer Holiday Offers until 17 July. Shoppers can enjoy discounts of up to 75 per cent at more than 800 brands and over 3,000 stores, along with chances to win incredible prizes through a line-up of exciting mall and retailer campaigns. Expect surprise deals daily, with limited-time campaigns like the Lucky Receipt promotion, which runs until 17 July to crown 210 lucky winners with 10 prizes from 10 brands across 21 days, when spending AED 300 or more at select retailers. Participating brands include Odora, Jawhara, EMAX, Chattels & More, Eros, Sharaf DG, Early Learning Centre, Flormar, Ecity, and The White Company. Plus, don't miss the first-ever Interiors Warehouse Sale until 5 July at Dubai World Trade Centre, featuring premium furniture and home décor from globally renowned brands including Giorgio Collection, Michael Amini, Theodore Alexander, Fama, and several other campaigns offering unbeatable value on fashion, tech, and luxury favourites - perfect for refreshing wardrobes, restocking essentials, and treating loved ones to something special. LOYALTY PROGRAMMES The DSS AURA Millionaire campaign gives customers who shop at participating Alshaya brands a chance to win 1 million AURA loyalty points. At Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira, and City Centre Me'aisem, customers who spend AED 300 can enter the SHARE Millionaire draw, with four lucky winners each receiving 1 million SHARE points. Shoppers using the Tickit app (linked to Visa or Mastercard) will be automatically entered into bi-weekly draws by making qualifying purchases at partner outlets across the city. MALL PROMOTIONS Mercato Shopping Mall and Town Centre Jumeirah are launching Slide into Summer Surprises: a weekly shop-and-win promotion where every AED 200 spend unlocks the chance to win exclusive prizes with each weekly winner taking home AED 10,000 in cash and the chance to win the all-new Jetour T1 SUV grand prize. Dubai Outlet Mall is also giving away a Soueast S06 SUV to one lucky shopper in a season-long raffle open through 31 August. At Dubai Festival City Mall, shoppers who spend AED 300 or more with participating retailers will enter a raffle to win a brand-new Polestar 4. At Mall of the Emirates, families can step into a prehistoric adventure with dino-inspired dishes, photo opportunities, and hands-on experiences, at the Jurassic Café by VOX Cinemas until 23 July. The Ripe Market Indoor Summer Markets also return each weekend at select locations including Town Centre Jumeirah, Times Square Center, and The Roast by Bubbalicious at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, offering vibrant pop-ups filled with local vendors, homegrown fashion, food stalls, workshops, and more. Over at City Walk, shoppers can look forward to live music performances every weekend, immersive basketball-themed games in partnership with Dubai Basketball Club, and Gahwa Beats, exclusive coffee and music pop-ups hosted at selected cafés throughout July. Restaurants will also be rolling out seasonal deals as part of Talabat DineOut, alongside a line-up of curated City Lunch offers and retail promotions available all summer long. At The Beach, JBR, shoppers can enjoy summer menus, weekly prizes at Pavilion, and exclusive deals for tourists and loyalty members as part of the Tickit Summer campaign. Over at City Centre Mirdif, Voyage Club transforms the mall into a Riviera-inspired escape, featuring customisation workshops, art pop-ups, seasonal bites and games for all ages with access granted on spends of AED 200 or more. This year's raffles and rewards bring thousands of chances to win all summer long. And with more surprises still to come, the biggest prize of the season might just be around the corner. EVEN MORE IN STORE - STAY TUNED There's plenty more in store this summer. The Great Dubai Summer Sale (GDSS) brings a packed calendar of the season's biggest deals and offers from 18 July to 10 August, with full details to be revealed soon. DSS then wraps up with the Back to School season from 11 August to 31 August, offering families the chance to save on essentials for the new term with exciting promotions and giveaways. Stay tuned for all the details and be ready to shop, save, and win like never before. Dubai Summer Surprises 2025 is supported by Key Sponsor Commercial Bank of Dubai and Strategic Partners which include: Al Futtaim Malls (Dubai Festival City Mall & Festival Plaza), Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), AW Rostamani Group, DHAM (Al Seef, Bluewaters, Ibn Battuta Mall, Nakheel Mall, and The Outlet Village), Emirates Airline, ENOC, e&, Majid Al Futtaim (City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, Mall of the Emirates), Merex Investment (City Walk and The Beach, JBR), and talabat. About Dubai Summer Surprises 2025: Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2025 takes over the city for its 28th edition from 27 June to 31 August, showcasing the summer as one of the best value times of the year to experience Dubai. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the most value-packed edition of DSS this year promises a summer well spent for everyone with thousands of offers and things to do for 66 non-stop days. For the first time ever in DSS history, the city's retail sector is anchored around three distinct shopping seasons - Summer Holiday Offers from 27 June to 17 July, Great Dubai Summer Sale from 18 July to 10 August, and Back to School from 11 to 31 August. Each period unlocks exclusive new retail promotions, spectacular mall activations, and life-changing raffles, alongside world-class gastronomy, hospitality, indoor family fun, and a packed events calendar. Bringing together a mix of not-to-be-missed, brand-new experiences and returning festival favourites for every preference and price point, there are endless reasons to stay, play, shop, and celebrate an exciting summer season together. DSS 2025 truly delivers unforgettable moments for everyone, whether families, friends, couples, residents, or visitors. About Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), is responsible for developing Dubai's retail and festival sectors and supporting the positioning of Dubai as a world-class tourism destination with year-round family entertainment, shopping and events.
Zawya
22 minutes ago
- Zawya
Federal Tax Authority holds workshop in Abu Dhabi on Corporate Tax for Family Foundations
Abu Dhabi: The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) hosted a workshop in Abu Dhabi to shed light on Corporate Tax rules for Family Foundations and the conditions needed to categorize an entity as a Family Foundation under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses ('Corporate Tax Law'). This event is part of the FTA's ongoing campaign to raise awareness on Corporate Tax topics across UAE business sectors, ensuring smooth implementation and encouraging voluntary compliance. The workshop attracted a large turnout and was attended by 290 of those concerned with the Family Foundations sector, as well as a number of officials from the concerned authorities in the public and private sectors. During the workshop, the Authority renewed its invitation to taxpayers still unregistered for Corporate Tax to expedite the submission of their Corporate Tax registration applications, to benefit from the initiative to exempt certain categories of Taxable Persons required to register for Corporate Tax with the FTA and waive administrative penalties resulting from the delayed submission of registration applications due within the specified legal period. The FTA added that the exceptional requirement to benefit from the exemption is to file the Tax Return (or annual declaration) within a period not exceeding seven months from the end of the Tax Period. This applies only to the first Tax Period of the Taxpayer (or Exempt Person required to register for Corporate Tax), regardless of whether the due date of the first Tax Return (or first annual declaration) is before or after the implementation of the new decision. The workshop addressed several topics related to the treatment of Family Foundations under the Corporate Tax Law. FTA experts explained to the attendees the definition of a Family Foundation under the Corporate Tax Law and how these enterprises are treated for Corporate Tax purposes. During the current year, the FTA launched a request through the EmaraTax digital tax services platform, allowing eligible Family Foundations to apply to be treated as Unincorporated Partnerships, provided they meet the requirements set out in the Corporate Tax Law, as well as Ministerial Decision No. 261 of 2024 on Unincorporated Partnership, Foreign Partnership and Family Foundation for the purposes of Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses. The FTA explained that Family Foundations that want to submit a request to be treated as an Unincorporated Partnership must be previously registered for Corporate Tax, noting that the request to treat the Family Foundation as such may be submitted by the taxpayer or his tax agent or legal representative. Once the request is approved by the FTA, the Family Foundation will not be obligated to file annual Tax Returns for Corporate Tax. In addition, individual beneficiaries of the Family Foundation must determine whether they are obligated to register for Corporate Tax and submit a Tax Return for the relevant Tax Period. The FTA added that for the Family Foundation to apply to be treated as an Unincorporated Partnership, the applicant must verify that they meet the specific conditions as per the Corporate Tax Law and related legislation and decisions, which can be found on the FTA website. The application is submitted by selecting "Corporate Tax" on the EmaraTax digital platform, then selecting the "Corporate Tax – other applications' and requesting for the Family Foundation to be treated as an Unincorporated Partnership and attaching the required documents. The Federal Tax Authority was established by Federal Decree-Law No. (13) of 2016 to help diversify the national economy and increase non-oil revenues in the UAE through the management and collection of federal taxes based on international best practices and standards, as well as to provide all means of support to enable taxpayers to comply with the tax laws and procedures. Since its inception in 2017, the FTA has been committed to cooperate with the competent authorities to establish a comprehensive and balanced system to make the UAE one of the first countries in the world to implement a fully electronic tax system that encourages voluntary compliance, with simple procedures based on the highest standards of transparency and accuracy – beginning from registration, to the submission of tax returns, to the payment of due taxes through the Authority's website:
