Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in partnership with Joby Aviation, has successfully completed the first crewed electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aerial taxi flight between two distinct locations in the UAE.
According to Emirates News Agency, the electric aerial taxi took off from the Dubai Jetman Helipad in Margham and completed a 17-minute flight to Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central), coinciding with the Dubai Airshow 2025. This marks Joby as the first company globally to achieve a crewed eVTOL flight between two separate points within the UAE.
The RTA also announced that the construction of the first vertiport near Dubai International Airport (DXB) is 60% complete, a project undertaken by UK-based Skyports Infrastructure. This vertiport is the first of its kind globally and represents significant progress in the development of aerial mobility infrastructure.
Further agreements have been signed by the RTA with Emaar Properties, Atlantis The Royal, and Wasl Asset Management Group to establish additional vertiports for aerial taxis within their real estate projects. These developments highlight Joby’s readiness to operate in shared airspace, with plans to commence passenger services in 2026.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, emphasized that this achievement is a milestone in Dubai’s journey towards smart and sustainable mobility. It aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to position Dubai as a leader in innovation and advanced technologies.
He highlighted that Joby Aviation’s successful flight underscores the effectiveness of RTA’s framework for developing Dubai’s aerial mobility ecosystem. The progress made by Skyports Infrastructure in establishing the Aerial Taxi Vertiport and the agreements with prominent entities reinforce efforts to expand the aerial taxi network across Dubai.
Al Tayer added that this milestone demonstrates the efficiency of Dubai’s infrastructure and regulatory frameworks, paving the way for the commercial launch of aerial taxi services in 2026. These services aim to provide a fast and convenient mode of transport, enhancing connectivity between key destinations across the emirate.
JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, expressed that significant progress is being made towards launching commercial passenger service in Dubai. Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports Infrastructure Limited, noted that vertiports are crucial to the success of the advanced aerial mobility system, and Dubai is poised to become the first city to realize this vision.
Joby’s air taxi, equipped with vertical take-off and landing capabilities, operates on electric power, producing no harmful emissions. It can accommodate four passengers and a pilot, offering a range of up to 160 kilometers with a top speed of 320 kilometers per hour.
Skyports Infrastructure is constructing vertiports to accommodate approximately 42,000 aerial taxi landings annually, serving around 170,000 passengers. These vertiports will form the initial route network for the electric aerial taxi service, expected to launch in 2026.