That’s right. No more bickering at the immovable traffic on Sheikh Zayed Rd during rush hour, because by 2026, Dubai will launch the world’s first city-wide electric flying taxis service, which was recently announced at the World Governments Summit, held in the emirate.
The taxi – the first of its kind on the planet – will be able to fit four passengers and features six propellers and four battery packs. The max length available will be 160km, with top speeds reaching 321 km per hour.
This futuristic mode of transportation – like something out of Blade Runner – which is a collaboration between leading aviation authorities and companies, is intended to enhance urban mobility across key locations, specifically: Dubai International Airport, Downtown Dubai, and Palm Jumeirah, significantly reducing travel times between some of the busiest areas in the city.
Currently, the journey from Palm Jumeirah to Dubai Airport is anything but swift and requires travelers to leave with more than an optimistic amount of time to get to their destination with time to spare. But with the aerial taxi, this journey should take just ten minutes.
Skyports has the exclusive rights to design, construct, and operate the necessary vertiports. Prices for individual taxi rides have yet to be announced.
Let’s hope that air taxis don’t one day, too, face gridlock, nonetheless sky (road) rage.
