Prepare to say goodbye to traffic jams and hello to flying taxis, where the only road rage will be caused by those who ruin sunset views by taking the low-altitude lane. Dubai plans to launch aerial taxi operations by 2026, and we’re nervous, scared, and excited, all at the same time.
In 2017, Dubai tested out a driverless vehicle called the Autonomous Air Taxi, touted as the world’s first self-flying taxi service, and as of Sunday, plans are in place to deploy the fleet in just three years.
Where will the taxis be located?
The aerial taxi vertiport, a hub for flying taxis, will be built near Dubai International Airport. Upon completion, it will make Dubai the first city with a fully developed network of vertiports. According to a release, an air-conditioned bridge will connect the terminal for the air taxis to the Emirates Metro Station, allowing travelers to travel quickly and conveniently.
The initial network of vertiports will connect Dubai’s major areas — Downtown Dubai (home to the Burj Khalifa), Dubai Marina, Dubai International Airport, and Palm Jumeirah.
Give us the deets!
The air taxis seat one pilot and four passengers, each and fly top speeds of 186 miles per hour and a maximum range of 150 miles. Flight taxis will cost approximately the same as a limo service in Dubai, perhaps slightly more. The rate of limo service is currently higher than taxi fares in the city by at least 30%.
Between dense gridlock, sports car racing, and overcrowding, Dubai hopes that flying cars will alleviate these issues by 2026 and aims for a quarter of its vehicles to be completely driverless by 2030.
by travelers, for travelers.
