The Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with California-based Joby Aviation and UK-based Skyports Infrastructure to launch an electric air taxi service in the emirate by 2027. The agreement, witnessed by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, will establish a zero-emission, high-speed transportation network connecting Ras Al Khaimah with Dubai and key landmarks within the emirate.
An Inter-Emirate Air Taxi Corridor
The partnership will create an inter-emirate air taxi corridor, drastically cutting travel times between key locations. The service aims to reduce the journey from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai International Airport to under 15 minutes, a significant decrease from the typical one-hour car ride. The network of vertiports, developed by Skyports Infrastructure, will connect popular destinations including Al Marjan Island, home to the upcoming Wynn resort, and the Jebel Jais mountain peak. The first vertiport is planned for Al Marjan Island.
Advanced Aircraft Technology
The service will utilize Joby Aviation’s state-of-the-art electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. These air taxis are designed to carry one pilot and up to four passengers, reaching top speeds of 321 kilometers per hour. A key feature of the aircraft is its sustainable design, operating with zero emissions and a minimal noise footprint, making it an environmentally friendly mode of transport suitable for urban and tourist areas. Joby Aviation has already completed over 40,000 miles of flight testing and plans to begin passenger services in Dubai in 2026 before expanding to Ras Al Khaimah.
Strategic Vision For Tourism and Mobility
This initiative is a core component of Ras Al Khaimah’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2030, positioning the emirate as a hub for innovation and sustainable tourism. The air taxi service is expected to significantly enhance the tourism proposition by providing rapid and scenic transport to its major attractions. This agreement builds upon a foundational MoU signed in May 2024 between RAKTA, the tourism development authority, and Skyports, which laid the groundwork for developing a comprehensive vertiport network to support the emirate’s goal of attracting 3.5 million annual visitors by 2030.
About Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA)
Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) is the government entity responsible for regulating and developing an effective and integrated transport system in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. RAKTA’s mandate is to ensure the provision of safe, reliable, and smart transportation services that support the emirate’s economic growth and strategic development goals.
Source: Middle East AI News
