Dubai is positioning itself at the forefront of urban air mobility with the development of electric air taxi infrastructure, though industry leaders emphasize that affordability will be the critical factor determining its success as public transportation. Duncan Walker, founder and CEO of advanced air mobility company Skyports, articulated this vision during his address at the Dubai International Project Management Forum, stating that air taxis must transcend being a novelty experience and become a practical transportation solution.
Unlike the exclusive helicopter market that caters primarily to elite travelers, Walker emphasized that air taxis must achieve price accessibility for widespread public adoption. Skyports, which collaborates with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA), is developing a network of vertiports—specialized takeoff and landing facilities for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. These locations include strategic points near Dubai International Airport, Zabeel Dubai Mall, American University of Dubai, and Palm Jumeirah.
The infrastructure development is progressing substantially, with two vertiports already completed and another near Dubai International Airport reported to be 60% complete as of November 2025. Walker acknowledged that initial operational years will likely face supply constraints due to rigorous regulatory processes and manufacturing timelines rather than demand limitations.
In a significant integration move, the air taxi service will be accessible through the Uber app, connecting traditional ride-hailing with aerial transportation. This development follows the successful demonstration flight by Joby Aviation and RTA in November 2025, where an eVTOL aircraft completed a journey from Margham to Al Maktoum International Airport in 17 minutes—a route that typically requires 50 minutes by road.
Walker highlighted Dubai’s unique ecosystem as particularly conducive to implementing such innovative transportation solutions, citing the region’s long-term vision and exceptional stakeholder alignment capabilities that effectively address urban challenges like population growth and traffic congestion.