UAE residents can see electric air taxis up close near Dubai Mall ahead of planned launch

Dubai residents and visitors can now get a closer look at the future of urban air mobility as Joby Aviation has brought its electric air taxi to Downtown Dubai for a public display ahead of the service’s planned rollout.

The all-electric aircraft is currently on show near Dubai Mall, where members of the public are being invited to view the vehicle, take photos, and learn how the upcoming air taxi service will operate across the emirate. The engagement initiative is aimed at building public familiarity and confidence before commercial operations begin.

According to Lorcan Lynch, Flight Operations Manager UAE at Joby Aviation, the display is designed to make the technology more accessible. He said the goal is to help residents understand and feel comfortable with the aircraft before booking their first flight.

The aircraft is classified as an eVTOL — short for electric vertical takeoff and landing — which differs from both helicopters and traditional airplanes. It uses six electric propellers that tilt from vertical to horizontal, enabling vertical lift-off from compact city locations before transitioning into forward flight for greater speed and efficiency.

Joby highlighted low noise levels as a key feature of the aircraft. At operational altitude of around 1,000 feet, the air taxi is expected to be barely audible from the ground, reducing urban noise impact compared to conventional helicopters.

Joby Aviation’s initial Dubai network is planned to link four vertiports across the city:

• Dubai International Airport

• Palm Jumeirah

• Dubai Marina near the American University in Dubai

• Downtown Dubai, with a vertiport planned on top of a designated parking structure

Company representatives said the Dubai International Airport vertiport is close to completion.

The Downtown Dubai showcase runs until February 5, with on-site staff available to answer questions and guide visitors through the aircraft’s features. The activation is part of Joby’s broader public outreach efforts in the UAE.

Dubai has been accelerating its advanced air mobility plans. In November 2025, Joby Aviation and the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) completed the country’s first successful eVTOL test flight, a 17-minute journey between Margham and Al Maktoum International Airport — a route that typically takes about 50 minutes by car.

Authorities have previously indicated that future air taxi pricing will aim to remain aligned with public transport accessibility goals as the service moves toward commercial launch.