Dubai Completes World’s First Commercial Air Taxi Station, Launches Service by 2026

Dubai has officially completed construction of the world’s first purpose-built commercial air taxi station near Dubai International Airport, with commercial flights scheduled to begin by the end of 2026. The landmark development was confirmed on April 17, 2026, when Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, visited the new facility. The station is described as the first of its kind globally.

The facility spans 3,100 square metres across four floors and features two dedicated take-off and landing pads, a two-level car park, and climate-controlled passenger areas. The vertiport is designed to handle up to 170,000 passengers annually and includes Joby Aviation’s Global Electric Aviation Charging System, the first fast-charging equipment ever installed at a commercial vertiport.

The service will be operated by California-based Joby Aviation, which holds exclusive rights to operate air taxi services in Dubai for six years. The aircraft is a fully electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle designed for fast, zero-emission travel with minimal noise. Skyports Infrastructure is responsible for the station’s design, development, and operation, while Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority oversees governance and integration with the wider transport network.

Sheikh Hamdan described the completion as a strategic leap for the emirate. “The launch of the Air Taxi infrastructure marks an important step in adopting new, sustainable modes of transport and strengthening Dubai’s readiness for the decades ahead,” he said during his visit. “We remain committed to developing an integrated, multi-level transport ecosystem based on advanced technologies while expanding options for residents and visitors across the emirate.”

The journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah is projected to take just 10 to 12 minutes, compared to roughly 45 minutes by car under typical traffic conditions. Three additional stations are planned for Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah, forming an initial four-station network that will connect the airport with major business and tourism districts.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s RTA, confirmed that the air taxi service will integrate with metro, bus, and shared mobility systems. “The aerial taxi will offer a distinctive new service for residents and visitors of Dubai seeking a fast, safe, and convenient way to travel between key destinations across the city,” he stated.

In November 2025, Joby completed the UAE’s first piloted point-to-point air taxi flight, a 17-minute journey from its Margham test facility to Al Maktoum International Airport, validating the aircraft’s performance under local environmental conditions. The RTA has indicated that initial trial operations may begin in early 2026 on a test basis, with select passengers from government authorities and partner companies invited to ride for free and provide feedback before full commercial launch.

Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports Infrastructure, called the moment historic. “With the world’s first commercial vertiport now being in a technical position to take eVTOL flights, we are seeing aviation history in the making,” he said. “After years of planning and in-depth design, this new class of infrastructure brings together the latest technologies and innovations that will change how people move around their cities.”

The vertiport is also designed to manage conventional helicopter traffic under a hybrid regulatory framework developed in partnership with the General Civil Aviation Authority, ensuring seamless integration with existing aviation operations. Once operational, passengers will be able to book flights through an integration with Uber’s ride-hailing platform, marking Joby’s first commercial rollout in the emerging urban air mobility sector.