Date Announced for Launch of UAE’s First Electric Air Taxi Service

Travel between Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah is set for a revolution as Joby Aviation prepares to introduce electric air taxis by the first half of 2027, cutting travel time from over an hour by road to just under 15 minutes.

First Routes Announced

In the initial phase, flights will operate from Dubai International Airport’s vertiport to Al Marjan Island, the site of the upcoming multi-billion-dollar Wynn Resorts.

• A second phase will connect Al Marjan Island to Jebel Jais, the UAE’s tallest mountain.

• The launch is scheduled to coincide with the Wynn Resort’s opening, underscoring the UAE’s commitment to pioneering luxury tourism and advanced mobility.

Joby’s all-electric aircraft, capable of speeds up to 321 km/h, will carry a pilot and four passengers with zero operating emissions.

 Partnership for the Future

The Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA), Joby Aviation, and Skyports Infrastructure have officially signed an agreement to roll out the service in 2027.

• The initiative will establish Ras Al Khaimah’s first domestic flying taxi network.

• According to Esmaeel Hasan Alblooshi, Director-General of RAKTA, the project aligns with the emirate’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2030, which focuses on sustainable, eco-friendly, and smart transport solutions.

“This project will provide quick, efficient, and sustainable mobility options for residents and visitors, while strengthening Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a smart city and global tourism hub,” Alblooshi said.

 On-Demand Travel Model

Anthony Khoury, UAE General Manager at Joby Aviation, confirmed to Khaleej Times that the Dubai–Al Marjan Island route will launch in early 2027, followed by Al Marjan–Jebel Jais later that year.

• The service will be on-demand, not fixed-schedule.

• Flights will expand based on demand, especially with the expected surge in tourism once the Wynn Resort opens.

• Initially, most passengers will be tourists, though over time, as vertiports expand to RAK Airport and Downtown, the service will attract residents as well.

 Pricing and Accessibility

The fare structure is still being finalized. Khoury indicated that:

• Prices will be comparable to Dubai rates, calculated on a per-mile basis.

• Early flights may be premium-priced, but costs are expected to decline as technology matures and operations scale up.

Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt said:

“We look forward to launching this route with our partners RAKTA and Skyports, building on the strong foundations we’ve already established in the UAE.”

Meanwhile, Skyports CEO Duncan Walker emphasized the project’s momentum:

“After signing an MoU with RAKTA in 2024 to prepare for a vertiport network, we’re excited to now move into the development phase with Joby as our service partner. Together, we’re on track to deliver air taxi services to Ras Al Khaimah by 2027.”

A Leap Toward Future Mobility

The initiative signals a new era of transportation in the UAE, blending cutting-edge aviation technology with the nation’s ambitious tourism and smart city strategies.

By 2027, visitors could seamlessly travel from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah’s coastline and mountain landscapes in minutes instead of hours—a true game-changer for residents, tourists, and the country’s global image.