Ras al khaimah: H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, witnessed the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding between Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority, US-based Joby Aviation, and UK-based Skyports Infrastructure to launch the first air taxi service in Ras Al Khaimah by 2027.
According to Emirates News Agency, the ceremony took place at Sheikh Saud's palace in Saqr bin Mohamed City and was attended by JoeBen Bevirt, CEO and founder of Joby Aviation, and Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports. The event also saw the presence of Eng. Esmaeel Hassan Alblooshi, Director-General of Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority and Acting Director-General of the Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al-Khaimah, along with several senior officials.
H.H. Sheikh Saud highlighted that this initiative aligns with the UAE's vision for future-oriented, sustainable mobility solutions. He emphasized that it is an investment in enhancing people's quality of life and further solidifies Ras Al Khaimah's status as a global hub for living, working, tourism, and investment.
The initiative is seen as a transformative step, linking the emirate's ambitious present with its promising future. It aims to turn aspirations into concrete achievements that will benefit future generations.
The collaboration will leverage RAKTA's support, Skyports' expertise in vertiport infrastructure, and Joby's all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to design, develop, and operate the pioneering air taxi service in Ras Al Khaimah.
Integrated with RAK's 2030 Mobility Master Plan, the service will cater to the increasing demand for swift and efficient transport within Ras Al Khaimah and the broader UAE. It will also pave the way for an inter-emirate corridor, linking Joby's planned service in Dubai to significant hospitality developments in Ras Al Khaimah.
For travelers, the service promises a significant reduction in travel times. For instance, a trip from Dubai International Airport to Al Marjan Island, which currently takes over an hour by car, could be completed in under 15 minutes using Joby's air taxi. The aircraft is designed to accommodate a pilot and up to four passengers, offering minimal noise and zero emissions, thereby enhancing air travel convenience for short commutes and quick trips across the region.