Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah in 15 mins: UAE’s first inter-emirate flying taxi to launch in 2027
Joby Aviation and Skyports to develop the country’s first vertiport network
DUBAI – Imagine bypassing highway traffic and flying from Dubai International Airport to Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Marjan Island in less than 15 minutes. By 2027, this will be possible thanks to Joby Aviation’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxis.
The futuristic aircraft, designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers, can reach speeds of 321 km/h while producing zero emissions and minimal noise.
The new service will coincide with the opening of Wynn Resorts’ multibillion-dollar project on Al Marjan Island, making Ras Al Khaimah an even more accessible tourist hotspot. Later in 2027, flights will extend from Al Marjan to Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest peak.
Strategic agreement
His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA), Joby Aviation, and UK-based Skyports Infrastructure. The MoU was formalised at Sheikh Saud’s palace in Saqr bin Mohamed City, attended by Joeben Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, and Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports.
Sheikh Saud emphasised that the initiative reflects the UAE’s vision for sustainable mobility and strengthens Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a global destination for living, tourism, and investment.
Inter-emirate corridor
The partnership will establish the first air taxi service in Ras Al Khaimah and connect it to Dubai’s planned flying taxi network. Dubai aims to launch its first air taxi services in March 2026, with vertiports already under construction at Dubai International Airport, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Mall.
Once operational, the Dubai–RAK route will cut journey times dramatically. A trip that can take well over an hour by car will be reduced to under 15 minutes by air.
Pricing and expansion
Fares are expected to be set between $200 and $300 per passenger, making the service competitive compared to the cost of a taxi journey between the two emirates. The project aligns with Ras Al Khaimah’s 2030 Mobility Master Plan, aiming to meet the growing demand for fast and convenient transport.
In addition to the Dubai–RAK connection, Joby Aviation and Skyports are in talks with other emirates, including Ajman, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi, to expand the air taxi network. This would create a new era of inter-emirate mobility, connecting hospitality and tourism hubs with unmatched speed and sustainability.