Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has confirmed that the completion of the first air taxi station in Dubai is a step in the emirate’s plans for the future of urban mobility.
The station, located near Dubai International Airport (DXB), is the first purpose-built electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) facility of its kind in the world.
Sheikh Hamdan said the station embodies the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to position Dubai as a hub for future-ready transport solutions.
Sheikh Hamdan marks world public transport day with air taxi milestone
“As we mark the first edition of World Public Transport Day on 17th April, Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a leading global model for integrated and sustainable mobility. This progress is driven by innovation and the seamless integration of transport modes, enhancing quality of life and improving urban efficiency. Today, we take another step forward with the completion of the first Air Taxi Station, reaffirming our commitment to shaping the future of mobility. Expanding transport options, from the metro and buses to smart and air mobility, remains central to building a global city that puts people first,” Sheikh Hamdan said in a statement.
“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 in ways that enhance quality of life and improve overall efficiency. 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.
“We are moving forward in translating vision into practical reality, further strengthening Dubai’s position as a global testbed for innovation and the deployment of advanced solutions, enhancing its competitiveness and reinforcing its role in shaping the cities of the future,” he added.
He also reviewed progress at the station, which serves as the main hub for air taxi operations in Dubai. The project is being delivered by Skyports Infrastructure, a company that develops infrastructure for air mobility.
Accompanying Sheikh Hamdan on the visit was Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.
Upon arrival, His Highness was received by His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); His Excellency Mohammed Abdulla Lengawi, Director General of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports Infrastructure; and Anthony El-Khoury, General Manager of Joby Aviation.
Station spans 3,100 square metres with capacity for 170,000 passengers a year
The station comprises a four-storey building spanning 3,100 square metres, a two-level car park, two air taxi take-off and landing pads, charging infrastructure for air taxi vehicles, and climate-controlled passenger facilities with a capacity to serve up to 170,000 passengers a year.
The station has been developed in line with international safety standards. Skyports Infrastructure is responsible for the design, development and operation of the station infrastructure.
Joby Aviation, which developed the air taxi aircraft, oversees aircraft manufacturing and operations, including passenger management. The RTA oversees governance of operations and ensures integration with the wider transport network.
Mattar Al Tayer said the completion of the station, coinciding with the RTA’s participation in World Public Transport Day, marks a step towards the launch of air taxi services.
He noted that it reflects Dubai’s infrastructure and regulatory readiness, as well as its ability to integrate future air mobility technologies. He added that the milestone reflects the leadership’s vision to position Dubai among the world’s cities for quality of life and one of the most prepared for the future of mobility.
“The delivery of the Air Taxi Station by Skyports Infrastructure near Dubai International Airport reflects the progress made by RTA in advancing a smart and sustainable mobility ecosystem, built on the integration of various transport modes and aligned with global transformations in urban mobility. This step paves the way for expanding the development of Air Taxi stations across the emirate, facilitating the delivery of advanced air mobility services to residents and visitors, while enhancing connectivity between key areas, business centres, and tourist destinations,” Mattar Al Tayer said.
“The Air Taxi represents a strategic addition to Dubai’s mobility ecosystem, offering a fast and safe transport option while enhancing connectivity between key hubs across the emirate. It also supports RTA’s direction towards adopting innovative mobility solutions driven by clean technologies and artificial intelligence. RTA is committed to developing the Station’s infrastructure in line with the highest international standards to ensure readiness for commercial operations and seamless integration with the public transport network, including the metro, buses, and shared mobility modes,” he said, noting that the RTA is progressing towards the commercial launch of the air taxi service by the end of this year.
“The Air Taxi will provide a distinctive new mobility option for residents and visitors seeking fast, seamless, and safe travel between key destinations across Dubai. The journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah is expected to take approximately 10 minutes, compared to around 45 minutes by car. The service will also support integration with the public transport network, as well as individual mobility modes such as electric scooters and bicycles, facilitating multimodal journeys, enhancing connectivity across the city, and delivering a seamless passenger experience,” he added.
Joby Aviation, Skyports infrastructure hail milestone
“The completion of this station by our partners marks a major milestone in bringing the Air Taxi service to Dubai. Together with the RTA, we’re proud to celebrate this important step and the progress it represents toward launching operations. We look forward to beginning commercial flights and to delivering fast, quiet, and sustainable air travel for Dubai’s residents and visitors,” Anthony El-Khoury, General Manager, UAE, Joby Aviation said.
“With the world’s first commercial station now being in a technical position to take eVTOL flights, we are seeing aviation history in the making. After years of planning and in-depth design, this new class of infrastructure brings together the latest technologies and innovations that will fundamentally change how people move around their cities,” Duncan Walker, CEO, Skyports Infrastructure added.
The Joby Air Taxi features vertical take-off and landing capability and operates as a fully electric aircraft with zero operational emissions. It is designed for safety, comfort and speed, incorporating the latest in air mobility technologies.
The aircraft has an acoustic profile that blends into the ambient noise of an urban environment and is up to 100 times quieter than a helicopter.
Test flights and certification progress in the UAE
The completion of the station follows a year of operational scaling for Joby. 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 (DWC).
This was accompanied by a summer flight campaign during which Joby conducted 21 piloted flights to validate aircraft performance in desert heat. The tests provided data on thermal management and flight dynamics in high-temperature, low-density air, supporting the finalisation of operating manuals and certification requirements for the region.
To ensure a transition to passenger service, Joby is pursuing a dual certification and qualification strategy in the UAE. This framework employs a parallel regulatory approach, using Joby’s FAA-validated data to support the launch of commercial services in Dubai, creating a pathway for commercial service while allowing the GCAA to remain engaged with the FAA during the final stages of the U.S. type certification.
Four air taxi stations planned across Dubai by 2026
The RTA had previously announced stations to support air taxi operations in Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina. By 2026, the total number of planned stations will reach four, including the station near Dubai International Airport, forming the initial network for the air taxi service.
Under an agreement with the RTA, Joby holds the exclusive right to operate air taxi services in Dubai for six years. To support this commitment, Joby has established a local operating entity and is focusing on building a local workforce for commercial operations.
The company plans to recruit the majority of its operational and pilot team from the UAE for its Dubai operations.
