Dubai is preparing to launch air taxi services in the next three years. The announcement was made on February 12, by the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
He announced the approval of the design of air taxi vertiports in Dubai as well as their locations. “Today, we approved the designs of flying taxi vertiports in Dubai which will operate within three years,” he tweeted.
Dubai air taxi services to begin by 2026
من القمة العالمية للحكومات .. اعتمدنا اليوم تصميم محطات التاكسي الجوي الجديدة في دبي .. والتي ستبدأ عملها خلال ٣ سنوات .. pic.twitter.com/tGQyPFVDUD
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 12, 2023
Dubai has been achieving several unique feats when it comes to its infrastructure. It is home to the world’s tallest building, and stunning landmarks like the Museum of the Future and Palm Jumeirah. The air taxi models that will be used in Dubai are displayed at the RTA stand at the World Government Summit 2023, reports state.
Dubai will have four vertiports, places from where people can board these taxis. The locations are:
- DXB airport
- Downtown
- Palm Jumeirah
- Marina
These flying taxis will be priced along the lines of an Uber service in the city, reports state. Ahmed Bahrozyan, an official in the Emirate’s Roads and Transport Authority, said that the pricing “will be in the range of a limousine service in Dubai, maybe slightly higher”, writes Wion News.
The air taxi will be able to seat one pilot as well as four passengers. The four vertiports will have charging stations and other amenities required for the vehicles. The taxis have a maximum speed of 300 kilometres per hour and will be able to fly about 241 kilometres, reports state. What’s more, the taxi is expected to emit zero emissions.
Hero and Featured Image credit: Dubai Media Office/@DXBMediaOffice/Twitter
This story first appeared on Travel+Leisure India and South Asia.
Anushka has worked with publications such as Times of India and Being Indian. A graduate from Xavier Institute of Communications, she specialises in entertainment, food and travel. She also likes to write about sustainability and beauty. When not working, you can catch her reading a book, tending to her plants, cooking or playing an instrument.
