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Dubai wants to reduce traffic congestion with the 2026 launch of Joby air taxi

Air taxis could soon be available for Dubai commuters to avoid traffic.

Joby Aviation has conducted its first test flight in the emirate of its fully electric air taxi this week. This is a significant milestone in the efforts by the city to integrate airborne transportation into existing mobility networks, as early as next.

Joby is hoping that its air-taxis can ease the pressure on Dubai's existing ground transportation system and provide travelers with a faster alternative, as Dubai continues to experience increasing congestion.

Anthony Khoury said, "We want people to commute differently."

The company estimates that a journey from Dubai’s main airport DXB, to Palm Jumeirah will take approximately twelve minutes on the Joby Aerial Taxi, as opposed 45 minutes in a car.

Khoury, Joby's CEO, says that the company has a long-term goal of making its aerial taxis affordable for everyone to use. However, early pricing is likely to target high-income travelers. Early days of any new technology may be more expensive.

According to Joby Aviation, the demonstration flight took place on Monday in an isolated desert area southeast of Dubai’s downtown. It was intended to mimic a typical aerial-taxi journey.

The experimental aircraft performed a vertical takeoff in front of senior government officials and representatives from the transport industry. It then flew several miles and returned to land vertically.

The Joby Aerial taxi, developed by a Californian company, is the first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL). It can travel up to 160 km (100 miles), at speeds of 320km/h (200mph).

Joby's air taxi is designed as an eco-friendly vehicle that emits zero emissions. It also has a low noise level, making it suitable for commercial use.

Khoury stated that the aircraft would be flying near residential areas in the city. "Hopefully, people won't notice it at all," he said. Joby's eVTOL has been heralded as the future for urban air, but the industry faces many challenges. These include securing regulatory approvals and developing enough vertiports.

Morgan Stanley lowered Joby's target stock price from $10 to $7, citing near-term execution risk and wider aerospace industry concerns including tariffs, supply-chain problems, and other issues. Joby's stock is currently trading for $10.55.

Joby signed an exclusive contract in early 2024 with Dubai's Roads and Transit Authority, which granted the company the exclusive right to operate aerial taxis within the city for six years.

Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Downtown are the four initial vertiports that will be opened by 2026.

Joby's president of Original Equipment Manufacturing, Didier Papadopoulos said, "In aviation, it's rare to see transformations such as this."

"Each once in awhile, you get this propelling move into the future. You're seeing something really exciting and I am excited that you will be riding on this point into the future. (Reporting and editing by Mahal Dahan and Louise Heavens in Dubai, with reporting by Abdelhadi Ramahi in Dubai.

(source: Reuters)