The UAE made waves in London recently with the announcement that flying taxis will be available in the country by 2026. A striking model of a bright yellow flying taxi was unveiled at Charing Cross railway station, bearing the slogan, “In the Emirates, even taxis reach the skies; taking off in 2026.”
The UAE Government Media Office (GMO) confirmed the announcement in a statement on Friday, explaining that the display is part of the country’s ‘Bring Your Impossible/Invest in the UAE’ campaign. This campaign highlights the nation’s ambitious projects and innovations, reinforcing its message that “no dream is impossible” in the Emirates.
“The initiative is designed to draw attention to the Emirates’ plans to implement flying taxis by the year 2026,” the GMO statement noted. The campaign aims to attract international investors, entrepreneurs, and forward-thinking individuals to the UAE as part of its broader vision of the future. It also underscores the UAE’s commitment to positioning itself as a global hub for innovation in industries like artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology (BioTech), and financial technology (FinTech).
The government’s statement highlighted that the flying taxi project is an example of how the UAE is fostering an environment where bold ideas can thrive. With platforms such as Hub71 and the Dubai Future Foundation, the UAE continues to support startups and businesses in bringing groundbreaking innovations to life. The flying taxi display emphasizes the UAE’s forward-looking approach to creating a sustainable, technologically advanced future.
In line with these developments, California-based company Joby Aviation made headlines last month when it announced that flying taxis could be operational in Dubai as early as the last quarter of 2025. At the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress and Exhibition in Dubai, Joby Aviation’s general manager, Tyler Trerotola, revealed that the company has advanced its timeline, pushing the launch of its electric air taxis from 2026 to the end of 2025.
Trerotola also outlined Joby’s plans to integrate ridesharing services to facilitate seamless transportation for customers. These services will connect passengers from their point of origin to one of four vertiports across Dubai, and then to their final destination. The vertiports, located at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, and Dubai Marina, are strategically placed to enhance the city’s evolving transportation network.
The introduction of flying taxis is poised to revolutionize urban mobility in Dubai, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to innovation and its ongoing efforts to establish itself as a global investment and technology hub.
