KATHMANDU: Uber has confirmed plans to introduce a flying taxi service in Dubai by the end of 2026.
The air mobility service will allow users to book an electric air taxi directly through the Uber app, similar to booking existing ride options such as UberX or Uber Black.
The aircraft used for the service is developed by Joby Aviation. The electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft can carry up to four passengers and will be operated by a trained commercial pilot. Because it can take off and land vertically, the aircraft does not require a conventional runway.
As part of the project, several VTOL landing hubs will be established across Dubai. Planned locations include Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, major shopping malls, and American University of Dubai, creating faster connections between key areas of the city.
The partnership between Uber and Joby dates back to 2020, when Uber sold its Uber Elevate air mobility unit to Joby and invested $75 million in the company. Although the project slowed during the pandemic as travel demand dropped, development continued and is now approaching commercial deployment.
Uber says the service will integrate air travel with its premium ground transport service, allowing passengers to combine air taxi rides with Uber Black transfers for end-to-end trips.
Following the Dubai launch, Joby plans to expand its air taxi network to other global cities including New York City, Los Angeles, as well as markets in the United Kingdom and Japan, pending regulatory approvals. In the United States, the launch will depend on certification from the Federal Aviation Administration.
If successful, the project could mark a major step towards integrating urban air mobility into everyday transportation in major cities.
