Watch: Dubai completes first crewed eVTOL aerial taxi flight
New aviation milestone aligns with Dubai’s 2026 mobility launch
DUBAI – Dubai has reached a historic aviation milestone as the Roads and Transport Authority, in partnership with Joby Aviation, completed the first crewed electric vertical take-off and landing aerial taxi flight between two separate points in the UAE.
The pioneering aircraft lifted off from the Dubai Jetman Helipad in Margham and flew for 17 minutes before landing at Al Maktoum International Airport, coinciding with activities during the Dubai Airshow 2025.
The feat placed Joby Aviation as the first company in the world to perform a crewed eVTOL flight between two distinct locations within the UAE, marking a significant step toward Dubai’s commercial aerial taxi launch planned for 2026.
The RTA confirmed that the demonstration reinforced Dubai’s operational readiness, regulatory cooperation, and long-term vision for integrating smart aerial mobility into the transport network. It also underlined the collaboration between Joby Aviation and multiple UAE aviation agencies involved in enabling controlled and safe operations within shared airspace environments.
First crewed eVTOL flight
The flight test took place under the supervision and coordination of the Roads and Transport Authority, the General Civil Aviation Authority, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and Dubai Air Navigation Services. The 17-minute journey demonstrated the aircraft’s vertical take-off capabilities, cruising stability, and approach accuracy under local environmental conditions.
The event also coincided with daily public demonstrations presented by the RTA during the Dubai Airshow, designed to preview Dubai’s aerial mobility roadmap.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at the RTA, described the completed flight as a new milestone in Dubai’s record of innovation. He emphasised that the achievement reflected the leadership vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to establish Dubai as the world’s most future-ready city, prepared to embrace advanced and sustainable mobility systems.
How it works
Joby’s air taxi is built around six rotors and four battery packs, offering a range of up to 160 kilometres and a top speed of 320 kilometres per hour. It can carry four passengers plus a pilot and produces far lower noise levels than conventional helicopters. The vehicle relies entirely on electric power, contributing to Dubai’s sustainability targets.
Vertical take-off and landing capability enables the aircraft to use compact vertiports embedded within dense urban areas. The RTA highlighted that a typical journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah is expected to take approximately 10 minutes using the aerial taxi, compared to around 45 minutes by road. The service will also integrate with micro-mobility solutions such as bicycles and electric scooters to ensure smooth last-mile connectivity.
When will operations begin
Joby Aviation confirmed that it would accelerate its Dubai-based flight test operations as part of the preparation for the 2026 commercial passenger service launch. The company continues to coordinate with the GCAA, DCAA, and DANS on airspace safety, operational reliability, and regulatory compliance. Joby is one of the global leaders in advanced air mobility aircraft technology, focusing on electric-powered, low-noise, vertical take-off and landing vehicles designed for urban and intercity travel.
Al Tayer noted that the success of the crewed flight demonstrated the robustness of Dubai’s aerial mobility operational framework, reinforcing global confidence in the emirate’s regulatory environment. The result supports Dubai’s goal of creating a fully integrated mobility ecosystem that combines ground-based transport, individual mobility options, and aerial systems into a connected multimodal network.
Vertiport network in Dubai
Dubai aims to launch commercial aerial taxi services in 2026, supported by an initial vertiport network being constructed across the emirate. Agreements signed with Emaar Properties, Atlantis The Royal, and Wasl Asset Management Group will create additional vertiports at major destinations and economic districts. These locations will connect Dubai International Airport, the Dubai Mall Zabeel area, Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Marina.
Joby continues to carry out extensive flight tests in Margham, having previously completed a series of crewed demonstration flights in June. These trials verified aircraft performance under UAE weather and airspace conditions, strengthening technical readiness for the upcoming operational phase.
Dubai officials noted that the achievement aligns with the city’s strategy to enhance quality of life by investing in innovative, sustainable, and efficient mobility systems that enhance travel times, reduce emissions, and support economic growth.