First eVTOL aerial taxi flight connects 2 Dubai locations

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with Joby Aviation, completed the first crewed electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aerial taxi flight between two distinct locations in the UAE.

- Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The electric aerial taxi took off from the Dubai Jetman Helipad in Margham and flew 17 minutes to Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central), coinciding with the Dubai Airshow 2025.

This achievement makes Joby the first company in the world to complete a crewed electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft flight between two distinct points within the UAE.

RTA also announced that Skyports Infrastructure, a UK-based company specializing in advanced aerial mobility infrastructure development, has completed 60% of the construction of the first vertical takeoff and landing aerial taxi vertiport in the Emirate, located near Dubai International Airport (DXB).

The construction has reached the highest point of the vertiport, which is the first of its kind globally.

The RTA has signed agreements with Emaar Properties, Atlantis The Royal, and Wasl Asset Management Group to establish additional vertiports for aerial taxis within their real estate projects.

This achievement underscores Joby's readiness and ability to operate in shared airspace.