Ras Al Khaimah, Joby to launch air taxi service
Joby Aviation targets fifteen-minute RAK-Dubai route
#UAE #RasAlKhaimah #airtaxis - Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with California-based Joby Aviation and UK infrastructure developer Skyports Infrastructure to launch an electric air taxi service by 2027, witnessed by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. The partnership will deploy Joby’s all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft across a vertiport network connecting Dubai International Airport to landmark destinations including Al Marjan Island and Jebel Jais, reducing journey times from over one hour by car to under 15 minutes by air at speeds reaching 321 kilometres per hour. The initiative aligns with Ras Al Khaimah’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2030 whilst positioning the emirate as a tourism and innovation hub through zero-emission intercity transport infrastructure.
SO WHAT? - Whilst Abu Dhabi and Dubai have stolen the limelight with their ambitious autonomous mobility plans, Ras Al Khaimah has quietly putting the building blocks in place to introduce advanced mobility services in the emirate. Following a few recent studies and strategic agreements, the new agreement with Joby Aviation will both add value to RAK’s tourism proposition - connecting key tourist attractions - and connect the emirate with the UAE’s largest city, Dubai.
Here are some key details about the announcement:
Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) has signed a strategic MoU with California-based Joby Aviation and UK infrastructure developer Skyports Infrastructure to launch an electric air taxi service by 2027. The first vertiport will be on Al Marjan Island.
The memorandum of understanding was signed in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.
Joby’s electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft will transport one pilot and up to four passengers at top speeds of 321 kilometres per hour with zero operating emissions and minimal noise.
Journey times between Dubai International Airport and Al Marjan Island will reduce from over one hour by car to under 15 minutes by air taxi using direct flight paths.
The service will establish an inter-emirate corridor connecting Joby’s planned Dubai operations to Ras Al Khaimah destinations including the new Wynn Al Marjan resort opening in 2027 and Jebel Jais mountain.
California-based Joby Aviation has completed over 40,000 miles of flight testing and aims to carry first passengers in Dubai during 2026 ahead of the Ras Al Khaimah expansion.
Skyports Infrastructure follows its May 2024 MoU with RAKTA establishing foundations for a vertiport network across the emirate whilst simultaneously developing Dubai infrastructure.
ZOOM OUT - The Joby-RAKTA partnership builds upon the foundational memorandum of understanding signed between Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, and Skyports Infrastructure in May 2024. The MoU established the framework for developing a vertiport network across the emirate. That initial agreement outlined plans to connect key attractions including Al Marjan Island, Al Hamra Village, and Jebel Jais through electric vertical takeoff and landing infrastructure, targeting journey time reductions from 70 minutes by car to under 20 minutes by air. The May 2024 partnership positioned Ras Al Khaimah to support its ambitious goal of attracting 3.5 million annual visitors by 2030.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
Read more about the UAE’s air taxi plans:
Archer eVTOL completes first UAE test flight (Middle East AI News)
EHang eVTOL takes off in Abu Dhabi (Middle East AI News)