Market Intelligence
Aerospace and Defense Aviation United Arab Emirates

UAE Aviation Growth of Flying Taxis Market

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is throwing its arms wide open for U.S. companies as it takes major strides in integrating flying taxis and new mobility solutions into the urban transportation landscape, with significant developments in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is developing the legal framework and mapping of air corridors, aiming to integrate these technologies into the national infrastructure by 2026. There are many other opportunities for U.S. businesses.

Dubai plans to introduce fully electric air taxis as part of its Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) strategy, targeting to start operations in 2026. The electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft initiative aims to establish a network to enhance urban mobility. In 2024, Joby Aviation signed an exclusive 6-year agreement with the Road and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA) to launch air taxi services by early 2026.

The Joby electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers and is expected to reduce the trip from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Palm Jumeirah to just 10 minutes instead of a 45-minute car ride.

Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi, the major helicopter operator, Abu Dhabi Aviation, partnered with Archer Aviation to launch operations of Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft. According to Archer Aviation, the first aircraft is expected to be delivered to Abu Dhabi in the summer of 2025. The eVTOL trip will cut the journey between Abu Dhabi and Dubai from about 90 minutes to about 20 minutes.

Dubai vertiports will be at key locations such as Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Downtown Dubai, and in Abu Dhabi, will be at three key locations including Al Bateen, Yas Island, and Khalifa Port.


Opportunities for U.S. businesses:

  • Operating systems: Air Traffic Management & Communication
  • UTM Systems (Unmanned Traffic Management): AI-powered flight paths and mapping - Satellite communication systems
  • Vertiports: construction, operating services, and security systems
  • Training & Certification: pilots, technicians, ground staff, and simulators
  • Power and battery infrastructure: High-performance – aviation-grade batteries, fast-charging systems, charging infrastructure: Ground charging stations at “vertiports” or futuristic wireless charging tech
  • Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO): body maintenance work, parts, AI diagnostic systems, and other services
  • IT network infrastructure and cybersecurity devices & services

Learn More at Events in the UAE:

  • Airport Show, May 6-8, 2025, Dubai
  • Dubai Air Show, November 17-21, 2025, Dubai
  • MRO Middle East Show, February 4-5, 2026, Dubai
  • DriftX, Date TBC, Abu Dhabi

For more information, please contact Office.AbuDhabi@trade.gov