Khalid Al Ouadi, Head of Public Transport Systems Management at the Roads and Transport Authority of the Dubai Transport Authority, recently announced that Dubai's first air taxi stand will be announced soon and is expected to be officially operational in the first quarter of 2026. The project will initially have four stations, with more details to be announced later.

Ovadi made the announcement on the sidelines of the recent Intelligent Transportation Systems Conference and Exhibition, Emirates News Agency reported on 18 September. The air taxi project is one of Dubai's pioneering initiatives in the field of airborne autonomous transport, aiming to provide a modern and efficient mode of transport with a focus on connecting key areas of the city such as hotels and airports.

Taylor Trilotta, General Manager, Middle East, Gobee Aviation, said the air taxi service is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2026, with early operations likely to be realised by the end of 2025. The first phase will include four strategic landing sites at Dubai International Airport, Downtown, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah, and the project will see the construction of dedicated take-off and landing zones, electric charging facilities, passenger zones and security screening areas.

Electrically powered and environmentally friendly, the air taxis will be able to carry four passengers and a pilot at speeds of up to 320 kilometres per hour and a range of 160 kilometres. Compared to helicopters, air taxis operate more smoothly and quietly, with noise levels not exceeding 45 decibels, effectively mitigating urban noise pollution.

Trilotta pointed out that air taxis will significantly reduce the travelling time from Dubai International Airport to The Palm from the existing 45 minutes to 10 to 12 minutes, which will help reduce traffic congestion in the city and enhance the travelling experience. In addition, the rollout of air taxis will help reduce reliance on traditional modes of transport, lower carbon emissions and support Dubai's sustainable development goals.

The project is being taken forward on the basis of an agreement signed at the Dubai Global Government Summit, where Gobee Aviation was granted an exclusive licence to operate air taxis in Dubai for a period of six years. The agreement covers route planning, infrastructure development and aircraft supply to ensure the smooth implementation of the project.

Declaration: This article comes from the East Money.com.If copyright issues are involved, please contact us to delete.