Dubai puts public safety first ahead of 2026 air taxi launch

Dubai is poised to become the world's first city to launch commercial air taxi services by late 2026, a significant leap in urban mobility. However, officials from Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) identify public confidence in this nascent technology as a critical challenge. The emirate is establishing a clear pathway for aircraft certification and safe service launch, with initial piloted test flights scheduled for early 2025 using dedicated vertiports.

The certification process involves extensive testing both in Dubai and the United States, in collaboration with partners like Joby Aviation and the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Anthony Khoury, General Manager – UAE at Joby Aviation, emphasizes that passenger flights will commence only after all stringent safety and certification requirements are met. Joby's electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft incorporate multiple layers of redundancy, including six propellers, each with dual inverters linked to separate electrical circuits and battery packs, ensuring continued safe operation even in the event of component failure.

Joby Aviation recently completed its first crewed eVTOL flight from its Margham test site to Al Maktoum International Airport, following successful desert trials. The California-based firm is now preparing for city-wide test flights under the coordination of the UAE’s GCAA, working towards obtaining an Air Operator Certificate. The RTA plans to roll out comprehensive public awareness campaigns to educate residents on the certification process and the inherent safety features of air taxis, aiming to foster widespread acceptance and ensure the service operates as an everyday public transport option, not merely a luxury.