The Sultanate of Oman is set to launch a nationwide air taxi service by 2027, a strategic move aimed at transforming domestic travel, enhancing business connectivity, and boosting the tourism sector. The initiative is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technology, which is currently evaluating bids from seven companies for consultation work on the ambitious project.
A Vision for Future Mobility
The planned service will initially operate from vertiports established in all Omani airports, four key tourist destinations, the capital city of Muscat, and the southern city of Salalah. These electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft will not require conventional runways, allowing for flexible and efficient point-to-point travel.
The air taxis are designed to carry one pilot and four passengers, reaching speeds of up to 300km per hour. This will dramatically reduce travel times across the Sultanate; a journey from central Muscat to the mount
in resort of Jabal Al Akhdhar, for example, will take just 20 minutes by air compared to 90 minutes by road.
According to a report from the ministry, the long-term benefits are substantial. “Over time, the air taxis will reduce road traffic, increase the number of tourists, reduce air pollution, create jobs and expand SME businesses,” the report stated.
The GCC’s Race to the Skies
Oman’s announcement places it firmly in the competitive regional landscape for advanced air mobility, where neighboring GCC states are also making significant progress.
“Oman is obviously in a race with other GCC states to develop the air taxi industry and it doesn’t want to be left behind,” Nasser Al Suleimany, a retired head of air navigational services at Muscat airport, told AGBI.
This regional push is highlighted by Dubai’s plan to launch its own air taxi service this year, along with Saudi Arabia’s partnership with US-based Joby Aviation to deploy similar services across the Kingdom.
About Oman’s Air Taxi Initiative
Oman’s Air Taxi Initiative is a government-led project by the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technology to establish a national network of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The initiative aims to enhance domestic travel, stimulate economic growth, reduce carbon emissions, and position Oman as a leader in advanced air mobility. Currently in the consultation phase, the project is part of the Sultanate’s broader strategy to diversify its economy and invest in future-proof technologies.
Source: AGBI
