Dubai flying taxis: Vertiport locations and launch date revealed

Dubai plans to launch the flying taxis by 2026 as part of its effort to establish the world’s first fully functional network of vertiports and to bring new sustainable urban mobility alternatives.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has given his approval to the designs of Dubai’s new air taxi stations (vertiports) created by the RTA. The new facility’s ambition is to capture a larger portion of India’s narrow-body aircraft market is also expected to be reinforced by the new facility, especially in light of the rising demand from regional airlines notably India’s newest airline, Akasa Air, and its nearby rival, SpiceJet.

According to Arabian Business, Boeing’s previous statement said that it would eliminate almost 2,000 white-collar jobs in finance and human resources and outsource some of those positions to contractors in India.

The emirate plans to launch the flying taxis by 2026 as part of its effort to establish the world’s first fully functional network of vertiports and to bring new sustainable urban mobility alternatives.

The aerial taxis have a top speed of around 300 kmph, a maximum range of 241 kilometers, and can carry four passengers and a pilot.

Network of Vertiports

The initial network of flying taxis, according to Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General of the RTA and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, would link four major sections of the city: Dubai International Airport, Downtown Dubai (the Burj Khalifa area), Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Marina.

Al Tayer stated that the “first phase” of vertiport development “involves selecting both manufacturers and operators based on their technology and timeline, as well as determining the sites for vertiport installations.” He also emphasized that “vertiports embody a revolutionary form of infrastructure that encompasses a range of facilities such as designated take-off and landing zones, a passenger waiting area, security protocols, and electric charging stations.”

He added that the following step of the project entails finding excellent investors with experience constructing the required infrastructure for the air mobility industry. He also mentioned that the proposed vertiports will smoothly interact with other forms of transportation.