Air Taxis To Dot Dubai Skyline, Zoom Passengers Over Traffic Jams In A Few Years Time

Dubai residents will be able to fly across their city using air taxis in a few years paying 350 dirhams (approximately Rs 8000) per passenger. The flying taxis launched by US-based aviation firm Joby offered a preview of how the flying taxis would look while speaking to UAE-based news agency Khaleej Times.

Joby said that the flying taxis are expected to take off in Dubai by the end of 2025. Its president of operations Bonny Simi said the aircraft can cut travel time between two locations in Dubai by nearly 70% while speaking to Khaleej Times.

“It takes about 45 minutes to one hour to travel from Dubai [International] Airport to Palm Jumeirah by road. By an air taxi, it will just take about 10 to 12 minutes,” Simi was quoted as saying by Khaleej Times.

The riders will most importantly get the option to zoom over traffic jams. The taxis can seat four passengers, plus the pilot and has ample baggage space as well.

“These air taxis will offer Dubai residents a comfortable, hassle-free, and convenient travel experience,” Simi told the UAE-based newspaper.

The air taxis will emit noise that will be limited to 45 decibels and will fly at an altitude of 500 to 1,000 metres.

“The altitude will depend on the travel distance. For a longer distance, the aircraft will fly for nearly 1,000 metres above the ground, and for a shorter distance, it will hover between 500 metres to 100 metres,” Simi further added.

Simi said that Joby will design an app that will allow passengers to book their air taxi trips and also reserve a ride on Uber. The Joby employee also said that the taxi shall depart even if there is only one passenger on board. The taxi can also fully charge from 0 to 100 percent in just 10 minutes.

Joby has claimed that their air taxis operate with “remarkable stability” and has the vertical takeoff capabilities of a helicopter combined with the smooth acceleration seen in an aeroplane.

“It is powered by six propulsion units, which seamlessly transition from vertical to horizontal orientation. It can swiftly reach speeds of up to 320 kph, covering distances of approximately 160 km on a single charge,” Simi said, further adding that the aircraft has six propellers with two motors each. There are a total of 12 motors and four batteries.

The first four vertiports will be built in the city’s key hubs. Vertiports are infrastructure hubs designed for the takeoff and landing of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, such as electric air taxis and drones. Dubai Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, and Dubai Marina will see the first vertiports being constructed.