"Dubai roads" and"Gobi" They carry out the first manned electric air taxi flight between Margham and Al Maktoum Airport
Dubai, November 16 / WAM / The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, in cooperation with Joby Aviation, carried out the first manned flight of an electric air taxi for vertical take-off and landing between two different locations. The vehicle set off from the Joby test site in Margham to Al Maktoum International Airport in a journey that took 17 minutes, making Joby the first company in the world to carry out a manned flight with an electric air taxi between two points within the UAE.
The Authority announced the completion of 60% of the construction work of the first private air taxi station near Dubai International Airport, which is being implemented by Skyports Infrastructure Company. Construction work has reached the highest point in the first station of its kind in the world.
The Authority explained that it is working to establish three additional vertical landing strips in cooperation with “Emaar Properties”, “Atlantis The Royal” and Wasl Asset Management Group, as part of their development projects, while it is preparing, in cooperation with “Jobi” Company, to expand the scope of air taxi testing operations in preparation for the start of passenger transport in 2026, in coordination with the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and the Dubai Air Navigation Services Corporation.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, said that implementing the first manned flight for an electric air taxi is a new qualitative achievement that is added to Dubai’s record of leadership and innovation, and reflects the future vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, for Dubai to be the best city in the world in terms of quality of life, and the most prepared for the future of smart and sustainable transportation, as well as the directives of His Highness the Sheikh. Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, called for Dubai to be at the forefront of cities that invest in innovation and advanced technologies to serve humanity.
He added that the success of executing the first flight between two different locations confirms the success of the operational steps taken by the Authority to develop the air transport system in Dubai and its ability to operate within a common airspace, and paves the way for a new phase of the integration of smart transportation systems in the emirate, which enhances the confidence of global partners in Dubai’s regulatory and technical environment.
He explained that the progress achieved in implementing the air taxi station near Dubai International Airport, in addition to cooperation with three major development agencies to implement new airstrips, enhances the authority’s efforts to expand the establishment of air taxi stations and airstrips to ensure distinguished air transportation services for Dubai’s residents and visitors.
For his part, Joben Beffert, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, said that there is remarkable progress in the air taxi project at all levels, and that preparations are continuing to launch the commercial service for transporting passengers in Dubai next year, working side by side with the Roads and Transport Authority and infrastructure partners, stressing that Dubai is now closer than ever before to transforming urban air transport into a daily reality for residents and visitors of the UAE.
In turn, Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports Infrastructure, said that vertical take-off and landing stations are the basic foundation for the success of the advanced air mobility system, and that the station’s achievement of this pivotal achievement represents a historic moment as Dubai prepares to be the first city in the world to make advanced air mobility a tangible reality, providing a high-speed, zero-emission means of transportation.
The Gobi S4 air taxi is distinguished by its ability to take off and land vertically and rely on electric power without operational emissions. It includes six propellers and four battery packs that allow it to fly a distance of 160 kilometers at a speed of up to 320 kilometers per hour. It can accommodate four passengers in addition to the pilot, with a low noise level that allows for efficient operation within urban areas.
The main air taxi station is located near Dubai International Airport on an area of 3,100 square meters distributed over four floors, including two floors for vehicle parking, two take-off and landing runways, and dedicated facilities for cargo and passengers, with a capacity of 42,000 landings annually to serve about 170,000 passengers. Skyports Infrastructure is responsible for designing, building and operating the infrastructure, and the Authority is responsible for governing the operations and ensuring integration with other means of transportation.
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter
