Technology & Innovation

Sharjah approves study on air taxi fares under new transport project

The Sharjah Executive Council (SEC) has approved the commencement of a feasibility study into a modern air transport project in the emirate, including proposed air taxi fares and cargo services.

The decision was announced following a Council meeting held at the Sharjah Ruler’s Office on Tuesday.

Boosting air connectivity and sustainability

The proposed project aims to consolidate Sharjah’s position as a major hub for air connectivity between cities, aligning with global trends in sustainability, advanced mobility, and future transport technologies. Authorities said the initiative will be developed in cooperation with leading international partners.

While currently in the study phase, the move signals Sharjah’s commitment to embracing Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions that could reshape urban transportation in the coming years.

Part of wider UAE air mobility push

The UAE has been positioning itself at the forefront of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi services.

In Abu Dhabi, authorities have already conducted successful test flights at Al Bateen Executive Airport ahead of a planned commercial rollout. Abu Dhabi Airports has unveiled plans for a network of more than 10 vertiports across key urban and transit locations to create an integrated ecosystem.

Meanwhile, Dubai has carried out successful flying taxi test flights, with infrastructure development underway, including a vertiport at Dubai International Airport and planned sites at Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina. These services aim to significantly reduce travel times within and eventually between emirates.

In Ras Al Khaimah, an agreement will see flying taxis connect Dubai to Al Marjan Island and onwards to Jebel Jais by early 2027, cutting travel time from over an hour by road to under 15 minutes.

With Sharjah now outlining its own ambitions, it becomes the fourth emirate to formally move towards commercial air taxi services. Certification processes are expected this year, with potential commercial operations beginning in 2026.

Additional council decisions

During the session, the Council also reviewed progress on government policies and approved the first batch of residential and investment land grants for 2026.

In implementation of the directives of Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, a total of 1,200 beneficiaries across the emirate were approved for land grants. Of these, 490 were allocated residential plots, while 710 received investment plots.