Dubai will be the world’s first city to launch a commercial, city-wide electric aerial taxi service, vertiport network DUBAI: Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, and Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed and Mattar Al-Tayer, director general of the Roads and Transport Authority, witnessed the signing of an agreement on Sunday to launch an aerial taxi service in Dubai by 2026, Emirates News Agency reported on Sunday. The agreement was signed by RTA, the General Civil Aviation Authority, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, California-based aviation company Joby Aviation and vertiport infrastructure provider Skyports Infrastructure ahead of the World Governments Summit. Following the agreement, Dubai will be the world’s first city to launch a commercial, city-wide electric aerial taxi service and vertiport network. The initiative aims to integrate with Dubai’s public transportation system. RTA will oversee advanced air mobility services, with Joby providing an aerial ridesharing service and Skyports receiving exclusive rights to design, build, and operate a network of vertiports. Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan inspected the Joby Aviation S4 Aerial Taxi, which is set to begin commercial operations in 2026. It is designed to carry four passengers and has six propellers and four battery packs, giving it a range of more than 160 km. With a top speed of up to 320 kph, the aerial taxi is also quieter than helicopters. Its vertical take-off and landing capability makes it ideal for urban environments, eliminating the need for large horizontal spaces required by conventional stations, RTA said. According to WAM, the agreement is a global first, establishing a legally binding partnership between a government body, an aircraft manufacturer and operator, and a vertiport owner and operator. “The General Civil Aviation Authority worked in cooperation with its partners to formulate the national regulatory framework needed for the implementation of this pioneering project,” Emirati Economy Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al-Marri said. He added: “The Authority issued regulations for air taxis and vertical ports, thus becoming the first national aviation authority in the world to issue this regulation, laying the foundation for the future infrastructure of the air transport system in urban areas. “The move will also create new investment opportunities in air transport infrastructure and smart transport in our cities.” Al-Tayer commented: “The aerial taxi initiative is part of RTA’s efforts to embrace future transportation technologies. The initial phase of the aerial taxi service will be launched at four prime locations: near Dubai International Airport, the Downtown area, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah.” He continued: “These vertiports will stand out for their innovative design, featuring take-off and landing zones, dedicated spaces for passengers and security checks, electric charging stations, and integration with public transport systems. “The aerial taxi service offers a novel and efficient mobility option for Dubai’s residents and visitors, enabling fast, safe, and convenient travel to key city spots. For example, a flight from the Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah is expected to take just 10 minutes, down from the 45 minutes by car.”