I bet we’ll have flying cars in the future meme just got real as Dubai is introducing taxis to the sky to make travel faster around the city. A Dubai-based company called Air Chateau has ordered 10 of these electric flying taxis, known as Integrity eVTOL, from a European company CRISALION Mobility. Interestingly, these air taxis can take off and land vertically, making travel around the city faster and more exciting.
However, these upcoming flying taxis, which can carry up to five passengers and a pilot, are still in development. The fleet will operate in two major Emirates, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with the service expected to start in 2030. Travelling at a speed of up to 180 kph, these taxis (obviously) will be much faster than vehicles on the ground. Moreover, since they run on electricity, they’re a clean, zero-emission option for the future.
The new flying taxis come with cutting-edge FlyFree technology, which lets them move smoothly in all directions. This design ensures top safety throughout the flight. Unlike traditional helicopters with one spinning rotor, these Integrity eVTOL taxis use 16 motors. This setup gives them better control and makes flying safer.
Manuel Heredia, General Manager of CRISALION Mobility, says the partnership with Air Chateau is a big step forward, opening up more opportunities for air taxis in the MENA region. He said:
“Air Chateau has demonstrated a strong commitment to advanced air mobility, innovation, and technology as one of UAE’s leading aviation companies. This partnership opens not only the door to a strategic region for CRISALION but will also form part of Air Chateau’s approach to providing sustainable air travel services to its customers.”
Moreover, Air Chateau’s chairman, Samir Mohamed, believes that these taxis will bring exciting and modern transportation choices to the city. He said:
“Our shared vision of transforming Advanced Air mobility (AAM) aligns perfectly with the needs of modern transportation in the urban and suburban settings. Through this partnership, we will not only enhance connectivity but also contribute to alleviating the burden on legacy ground infrastructure, complement existing transportation networks, reduce congestion and build a sustainable future.”
Can’t wait till 2030? Don’t worry! Dubai might see flying taxis from the RTA even sooner, by 2025. Final tests are being done in California and the UAE desert right now.
Interestingly, riding in one of the upcoming RTA Joby flying taxis will cost you around the same as an Uber Black. Moreover, it will get you across the city in roughly one-third of the time it would take by car.
