Dubai launches its first air taxi flights at the beginning of the second quarter of 2026

The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai revealed the launch of the first “Gobi” air taxi flights to serve and transport residents and visitors of Dubai at the beginning of the second quarter of 2026. Dubai will move towards global leadership and become the first city in the world to launch an air taxi service. The service includes a network of heliports without harmful emissions to the environment.

Dubai Roads explained to Emirates Today that the plan to operate the air taxi will include four stations in vital places in the emirate, including a station near Dubai International Airport, a station in the Marina area, a station in the Downtown area, and a station at Palm Jumeirah, noting that the mechanism for booking and using the air taxi for the public will be through a new smart application, and that the tariff will be encouraging and appropriate for the public.

In detail, the Director of the Transportation Systems Department at the Public Transport Corporation at the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai, Khaled Al-Awadhi, said that the “Gobi” air taxi project is an iconic project and will add great value to the public transportation system in the Emirate of Dubai, stressing that the plan is proceeding according to the specified timetable to launch test flights to the public by the end of the first quarter of 2026.

He added in exclusive statements to Emirates Today, on the sidelines of the Authority’s participation in GITEX Global 2025, that the air taxi service will include four stations in vital locations in the Emirate of Dubai, where the first phase includes two stations, the first near Dubai International Airport, and the second in the Marina area, while two new stations will be added within the second phase by the end of 2026, one in the Downtown area, and the other in Palm Jumeirah, according to For the future expansion plan, many other stations will be added, the details of which will be announced during the next year.

Regarding the mechanism for using the air taxi transportation service for the public, he explained that the service will be managed through electronic reservation via a new smart application, in cooperation with a number of companies, so that the customer can book the air taxi through the application easily and smoothly, in a manner similar to the reservation method used in limousine services or regular taxis.

As for the fees and tariffs for the air taxi service, he confirmed that appropriate special fees will be determined, which will be cheaper than tourist trips carried out by helicopters, and that their value and details will be announced later, stressing that the aim of the service is to provide a practical means of transportation that contributes to reducing congestion on the roads, and encouraging the public to use air transport.

He pointed out that the vehicle will carry four passengers per trip, in addition to the pilot, explaining that the interior design of the vehicle provides the highest standards of comfort and safety, with comfortable seats and enough space for each passenger, in addition to being equipped with advanced technologies to provide a safe flying experience.

He pointed out that the air taxi service is characterized by a number of advanced characteristics and advantages that make it an innovative and practical option for transportation within Dubai, as it provides a quiet and comfortable air journey with transportation completely free of carbon emissions, in addition to speed in reaching destinations, compared to traditional means of transportation. The service also provides a direct connection with the Dubai Metro network and road taxis, which enhances integration into the system. Public transportation.

The features also include airstrips equipped with waiting lounges, security services, and advanced charging stations, in addition to safe and smooth operation, which ensures the start of flights in record time, and enhances users’ confidence in a smart and sustainable transportation experience.

At the beginning of 2024, the Roads and Transport Authority signed an agreement to launch the air taxi service, with the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, the British company Skyports Infrastructure, a leader in developing advanced air transport infrastructure, and Joby Aviation, which specializes in air vehicles. Dubai is the first city in the world to enjoy air transport in urban areas, through an advanced network of vertical take-off and landing of air taxis.

Regarding the Authority’s participation in the exhibition, the Director of the Transportation Systems Department confirmed that the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai is keen to participate annually in the exhibition to showcase the latest innovations in the fields of mobility, roads, smart traffic systems, and integrated transportation systems. He explained that the Authority’s platform this year includes many innovative initiatives, ranging from smart means of transportation to advanced traffic systems integrated with the public transportation system, in addition to projects that It relies on artificial intelligence technologies and data analysis to support decision-making and improve the transportation experience in Dubai.

He added that one of the most prominent initiatives presented is the “Dubai District for Self-Driving Transport” project, which is being implemented in partnership with “Emaar” and the “Al-Futtaim” Group, and aims to prepare a model neighborhood in the Festival City and Dubai Creek Harbor areas, to be an integrated area for testing and operating self-driving means of transportation. The project includes operating six self-driving means of transportation that are integrated with the Dubai Metro network, such as buses and self-driving taxis. Driving, and other future smart means.

He explained that the Authority is reviewing the Dubai Laboratory for Self-Driving Mobility, which was announced in partnership with Dubai Silicon Oasis, and is equipped with all the necessary requirements for testing autonomous vehicles. The laboratory is the basic platform from which all smart mobility projects in Dubai are launched, as various tests are conducted in it, including autonomous driving technologies, the efficiency of vehicles, and their safety in various operational environments, noting that more than 32 specialized tests are carried out within this laboratory to evaluate and approve autonomous transportation solutions before applying them in the field.