Passengers in different countries of the world can now call cars, motorbikes and even boats through app-based services. Now the air taxi is going to be added to that list. Ride-sharing platform ‘Uber’ has announced that by the end of this year (2026), electric air taxis that look like helicopters will be available to be booked in Dubai, United Arab Emirates through its app.
Uber has partnered with US startup Joby Aviation to launch this service. The aircraft manufactured by the company can carry a maximum of four passengers and will be piloted by commercially licensed pilots.
Initially, four ‘vertiports’ or take-off and landing centers will be set up in Dubai. These will connect Dubai International Airport, a hotel on Palm Jumeirah, a major shopping mall and the American University of Dubai campus. As a result, the travel time from the airport to important places in the city is expected to be significantly reduced.
“We’ve long believed that advanced air mobility can fundamentally change how people move around cities,” said Sachin Consul, Uber’s chief product officer. On the other hand, Eric Allison, chief product officer of Jobbi Aviation, said that this partnership with Uber will make this new transportation system familiar and accessible to people – an integrated system that connects the ground and sky and saves passengers time.
The Uber app will feature ‘Uber Air’ rides alongside the regular car service. The air taxi ride will also include premium ‘Uber Black’ service for passengers to pick up and reach their destination.
Joby said they are in the final stages of receiving final certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). If approved, there are plans to expand the service to markets like New York, Los Angeles, UK and Japan in the future.
The venture comes to Dubai almost six years after Jobbi acquired Uber’s air mobility division ‘Uber Elevate’ in 2020. As part of that deal, Uber invested $75 million. Uber sold off several divisions in the first year of the pandemic as transportation demand fell. At the same time they also sold the auto division to startup Aurora.
Adding air to technology-driven urban transport is no longer science fiction—a new chapter in time-saving and sustainable travel could begin in Dubai.
