Dubai has conducted first successful maned test flight of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aerial taxi, it emerged on Tuesday.
During the review of infrastructure projects, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai were informed about the test flight.
The aerial taxi took off from Margham and landed at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
The project’s operational trials are being conducted by Joby Aviation Inc. in Dubai’s desert area. The company recently completed the first crewed flight of the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aerial taxi between two distinct locations.
The aerial taxi is reportedly fully electric and environmentally friendly, using six propellers and four independent battery packs, enabling a flight range of 160 km and a top speed of 320 km per hour. The aircraft accommodates four passengers in addition to the pilot.
This milestone represents a key step in expanding aerial taxi testing in Dubai to urban areas, setting the stage for passenger transport services to begin in 2026, in partnership with the General Civil Aviation Authority and Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.
