Commercial flying taxi services using electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are expected to begin in 2026, with the United Arab Emirates and China emerging as the frontrunners in this new form of transport.
In the UAE, US based Joby Aviation, backed by Toyota, is leading efforts to introduce air taxis in Dubai. The company has signed a six-year exclusive deal with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority to help ease the city’s growing traffic congestion. With this service, a journey that normally takes an hour by car from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah could be reduced to just 10 minutes by air. Ticket prices are expected to start at around 350 dirhams, or approximately 95 US dollars.
Joby demonstrated its aircraft’s capabilities at the Dubai Airshow in November by completing a 15-minute test flight. The five-seat aircraft is designed with two large cockpit screens and plenty of legroom. Another U.S. company, Archer Aviation, is also preparing to enter the market and plans to launch its flying taxi service in Abu Dhabi later in 2026. The UAE government is actively developing regulations to establish itself as a leader in advanced and innovative technologies.
China is also making rapid progress in the flying taxi sector. Drone manufacturer EHang has received China’s first air operator certificates for its EH216-S eVTOL aircraft, allowing it to begin commercial operations. The company plans to start with autonomous tourist flights. The two-seat aircraft does not require a pilot and operates by flying to pre-programmed destinations.
China is strongly supporting its “low-altitude economy,” which covers airspace below 1,000 meters, by offering major subsidies as part of its strategy to dominate this industry.
This global competition has prompted responses from other countries. In the United States, President Donald Trump signed an executive order in June to accelerate the commercial rollout of eVTOL aircraft. Following this, Joby announced in mid-December that it plans to increase its U.S. production capacity to four aircraft per month by 2027. Joby’s CEO, JoeBen Bevirt, said the company believes this is the right time to invest in facilities, equipment, and workforce to speed up production.
Japan is also preparing for flying taxi services through partnerships involving ANA Holdings and Japan Airlines, but commercial launches there are expected in 2027, placing the country slightly behind the UAE and China in the race.
