FLYING taxis will no longer be a faraway concept but a reality in a holiday hotspot much loved by Brits.
A Californian company has signed a deal with Dubai which could see tourists ferried across the UAE city by flying taxi from next year.
The luxury means of travel will involve paying passengers booking their desired trip through an app and waiting at “vertiports”, similar to today’s airports, for a propeller-powered taxi to pick them up.
Each VTOL aircraft will be able to carry four passengers and one pilot.
Travelling at speeds of up to 198 miles per hour, customers will enjoy a unique view of Dubai while making their way to their destinations.
According to Joby Aviation, the US company behind the all-electric aircraft, a flight from Dubai Airport to the glitzy tree-shaped island of Palm Jumeirah will take just 10 minutes by air taxi. By car, the same journey would take 45 minutes.
Joby has signed a deal with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority to launch air taxi operations in the UAE by early 2026, with its first service in 2025.
The agreement gives the company exclusive rights to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years.
Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation JoeBen Bevirt said it was an honour to partner with Dubai’s government to demonstrate the value of sustainable air travel to the world.
He said: “We’re looking forward to delivering an incredible experience for residents and visitors to Dubai as early as 2025 and we’re excited to be laying the groundwork for the expansion of our service across the wider UAE.”
The unique aircraft takes off straight up into the air, rather than having to build up speed along the ground first, and is fully electric, meaning it does not emit toxic pollutants.
And it is powered by six electric motors, which Joby said allows for a smooth ride more akin to travelling in an SUV than a plane.
Much like competitive cab services on the ground, passengers will only be able to use the Joby aircraft for short distances as it runs out of charge at 100 miles.
The whole operation will be managed in a smartphone app, through which customers will book their trip and be sent their ticket before passing through a barrier at their “vertiport” point of departure.
Those with the cash to splash will even be able to relax in “vertiport” lounges prior to leaving.
Joby started testing its ambitious craft in October last year, also signing a deal with London-based drone delivery company Skyports.
Skyports will build the four “vertiports” across Dubai where the taxis will launch from – at Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Dubai Downtown, according to the partners.
A Joby spokesperson told MailOnline that the aviation company is working to make the taxi rides “as accessible as possible” and “considerably cheaper” than private helicopter rides.
