Soon, travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in just 30 minutes by flying taxis

Flying taxis

The future of transportation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to undergo a revolutionary transformation with the introduction of flying taxis, poised to drastically reduce travel time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to just 30 minutes. This groundbreaking development comes as Joby Aviation, a US-based company specializing in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, prepares to launch commercial passenger services by 2025 or early 2026.

During DRIFTx, the world's premier smart and autonomous mobility and transport event held at Yas Marina Circuit, industry experts emphasized the UAE's pivotal role in spearheading the urban mobility revolution. Executives from Joby Aviation expressed confidence in their aircraft's capabilities, affirming its ability to seamlessly traverse between Abu Dhabi and Dubai within a remarkably short timeframe.

JoeBen Bevirt, CEO of Joby Aviation, commended the UAE's proactive approach in infrastructure development and certification of autonomous aircraft, citing it as instrumental in expediting the company's operations. Safety and noise control remain paramount considerations for Joby Aviation, reflecting their commitment to ensuring a secure and harmonious urban airspace environment.

In a significant stride towards realizing this vision, Joby Aviation inked a landmark agreement with Dubai's Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to introduce air taxi services in the Emirate by early 2026. Concurrently, other industry players such as eVTOL developer Archer Aviation and UAE's Falcon Aviation are also gearing up to establish vertiport infrastructure in strategic locations across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Archer Aviation, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), unveiled plans to accelerate the launch of commercial air taxi operations in the UAE. Their Midnight aircraft is slated to commence service as early as late 2025, supported by ADIO's initiatives to facilitate workforce development and establish Archer's international headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

DRIFTx attendees were treated to a glimpse of the future of mobility, with demonstrations showcasing Automated Rapid Transit (ART), TAXI self-driving taxis, and driverless minibusses. The exhibition featured a plethora of innovative solutions, including prototypes of flying taxis, driverless cars, and drones, offering a tantalizing preview of the transformative possibilities awaiting the transportation sector.

As the UAE propels towards a future of seamless urban mobility, characterized by efficient air taxi services and cutting-edge autonomous technologies, these developments underscore the nation's unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability. With flying taxis poised to redefine the concept of travel, the UAE stands at the forefront of a paradigm shift that promises to revolutionize transportation on a global scale.