On 16 October 2026, Lucretia reviewed where Dubai's flying taxis stand: the first station near DXB airport is complete, three more are planned, and a commercial launch with Joby Aviation is expected by the end of 2026.
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Dubai's first commercial flying taxi service is due to launch before the end of 2026. On 16 October 2026, we gave an update on the project in a post on our Instagram account @lucretia_immobilier. The day before, in Texas, Elon Musk had unveiled a new Tesla Roadster that can take off, though production isn't planned before 2028. Dubai is moving faster. The network built by Joby Aviation with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Skyports Infrastructure already has its first station, next to Dubai International Airport (DXB), finished in April 2026. Rides will be booked through the Uber app.
@lucretia_immobilier · 16 October 2026
Yesterday, Elon Musk unveiled a Tesla that can take off… but it won't go into production before 2028. In Dubai, flying taxis are coming much sooner: the commercial launch is expected by the end of the year. ✈️ – 1st station completed near DXB airport, 3 more planned at Dubai Mall, Atlantis The Royal and Dubai Marina – 100% electric aircraft, up to 4 passengers and 320 km/h – Airport to Palm Jumeirah in 10 minutes, versus 45 by car – Booking via the Uber app Two unknowns remain: the fare and the date of the first flight. We'll keep you posted as soon as they're announced. Would you give the flying taxi a try? Follow @lucretia_immobilier to keep up with all the major projects in the Emirates. #Dubai #TaxiVolant #ElonMusk #VivreADubai #InvestirADubai
Key points
- Dubai's first flying taxi station, located near Dubai International Airport (DXB), was completed in April 2026 and will be able to handle up to 170,000 passengers a year.
- In July 2026, the United Arab Emirates certified the station, presented as the world's first commercial vertiport designed for electric air taxis.
- Three more stations are planned at Dubai Mall, at Atlantis The Royal on Palm Jumeirah and at the American University in Dubai, near Dubai Marina.
- Joby Aviation's aircraft is 100% electric: it carries up to four passengers plus a pilot and flies at up to 320 km/h.
- The trip from DXB airport to Palm Jumeirah should take around 10 minutes, versus 45 minutes by car, and will be booked through the Uber app.
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Dubai flying taxis: a four-station network linking the airport to prime addresses
Dubai's flying taxi network will open with four stations, known as vertiports. The first, next to DXB airport, has been complete since April 2026 and will be able to handle up to 170,000 passengers a year. Dubai's Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, visited the station that month and asked for the service to open to the public before the end of the year.
The other three stations will serve Dubai Mall, in the heart of Downtown, Atlantis The Royal on Palm Jumeirah, and the American University in Dubai, near Dubai Marina. In other words, the network connects the airport to the three neighbourhoods most sought after by international buyers, whether they come to live or to stay.
Who is behind the project, and the timeline
The service will be operated by Joby Aviation, a Californian maker of eVTOLs, meaning electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The project rests on a three-way agreement with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority and Skyports Infrastructure, which holds the exclusive mandate to build and operate the stations. The aircraft is 100% electric: it carries up to four passengers plus a pilot and flies at up to 320 km/h.
The first commercial flight hinges on one final step: Joby Aviation's operational certification by the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Two things were still unknown as of 16 October 2026: the fare for a trip and the exact date of the first commercial flight.
What it means for investors
For investors, this launch confirms Dubai's strategy of delivering major infrastructure ahead of other global cities. These are exactly the projects that strengthen the appeal of its prime neighbourhoods. Getting from the airport to Palm Jumeirah in 10 minutes instead of 45 by car is a real selling point for properties let to business travellers and short-stay guests. It also matters to residents who travel often. Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Downtown therefore gain a practical edge and a boost to their image, on top of their existing strengths. We would also point out that in Dubai, individuals pay no tax on rental income or on property capital gains, as explained in our guide to property taxation in Dubai.
That said, we keep our feet on the ground. The service will initially target a high-end clientele, and its fare has yet to be announced. It adds value to an address, but it doesn't replace the criteria that determine a property's worth: its exact location within the neighbourhood, the developer's track record, the view, service charges and rental demand. Buying simply because a station is nearby would be unwise. To place this project in the context of price and demand trends, our analysis of Dubai property market trends offers a useful framework.
Our teams on the ground are following the project day by day, and we will share the fare and the first flight date as soon as they are officially announced. To find out which neighbourhood suits your plans, whether a home or a rental investment, Lucretia supports you with a tailored study, presented on our Invest in Dubai page.
Source: Original post on Instagram (@lucretia_immobilier) — 16 October 2026
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About the author
Benoit CLAUDEL
Director of Strategy & Operations
With over 18 years of experience in real estate and wealth management, Benoît has developed recognized expertise in advising private investors, business executives and family offices. After starting out in a real estate agency and working within one of the most reputable wealth management firms in Paris, he then joined LCL as Head of Private Banking for Île-de-France, advising high-income clients on their real estate strategies. An entrepreneur, he founded and ran his own wealth management firm for 7 years, structuring investment and wealth optimization solutions. Today at Lucretia, Benoît oversees operational strategy, sales performance and advisor training. He works on high-value-added cases, particularly investments via French holding companies, legal structuring and wealth taxation.
