Dubai — In a major leap forward for urban mobility, the emirate has successfully completed its first crewed flight of an electric air taxi, marking a pivotal step towards the full launch of aerial taxi services slated for 2026.
The flight, which took off from Margham and landed at Al Maktoum International Airport (also known as DWC) in Dubai, was revealed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum — Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence — as he reviewed the status of the city’s latest transport infrastructure projects. Khaleej Times+1
A milestone for eVTOL transport
The electric vertical-take-off-and‐landing (eVTOL) aircraft, developed in partnership with Joby Aviation, features six rotors and four independent battery packs. The design allows for a range of approximately 160 km and a top speed around 320 km/h. It can carry one pilot and up to four passengers. Gulf News+2Khaleej Times+2
According to the officials present, the test flight was conducted as part of a series of trials aimed at verifying safety, performance and operational readiness ahead of urban-area flights. urbanairmobilitynews.com+1
Infrastructure and strategic context
The flight milestone comes as part of a broader push by the Roads & Transport Authority (Dubai) (RTA) to integrate aerial mobility into Dubai’s transport ecosystem. A dedicated ‘vertiport’ is already under construction near Dubai International Airport (DXB) by Skyports Infrastructure. The four-level facility will cover vehicle parking, passenger lounges and two take-off/landing pads. Khaleej Times+1
Dubai’s ambition is to become a global leader in advanced air mobility. The project aligns with the city’s strategic initiatives toward smart, sustainable, and high-quality living environments. The Siasat Daily+1
What’s next: trials and launch
Following this milestone, Dubai’s authorities will move into the next phase: testing eVTOL operations in urban corridors, refining air-traffic integration, and ensuring regulatory frameworks are in place via the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority. Gulf News+1
Public commercial services are expected to launch in 2026, making Dubai among the first in the world to offer city-wide aerial taxi services at scale. Khaleej Times+1
