80% Complete: Dubai’s Air Taxi Nears Launch as Driverless Cars Move Closer to Reality, RTA Chief Confirms

Dubai’s vision of futuristic mobility is no longer theoretical - it is rapidly becoming operational. The city’s flagship Air Taxi project is now 70–80% complete and firmly on track for launch by the end of 2026, while driverless cars are expected to roll out in phases soon after, according to Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) chief Mattar Al Tayer.

Speaking at the World Government Summit, Al Tayer confirmed that Dubai’s transformation is not just about adopting cutting-edge technology, but about decisive governance and seamless integration across transport systems - a model that continues to attract residents, global firms and investors exploring business setup in dubai.

Air Taxi: From Vision to Execution

The Air Taxi initiative is being led by Joby Aviation, which has secured exclusive six-year operating rights from Dubai RTA. Trial flights are already underway, and the infrastructure backbone is nearing readiness.

Key highlights:

• Project completion: 70–80% achieved

• Commercial launch target: End of 2026

• Model: Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft

• Use case: Rapid urban travel, bypassing surface congestion

This service is designed to integrate with existing transport modes rather than replace them, offering a premium, time-saving option for residents, executives and tourists.

Driverless Cars: Scaling in Phases

Autonomous vehicles are no longer a distant promise. Dubai plans to begin with 100 electric driverless vehicles operating in designated zones, gradually scaling up to 1,000 autonomous units.

According to Al Tayer:

• Initial operations will start in multiple areas

• Expansion is expected as early as Q1 following launch

• Safety drivers will be phased out as systems mature and regulations stabilise

Dubai has already partnered with Baidu (Apollo Go), WeRide, Pony.ai, and Uber, signalling strong private-sector confidence in the city’s regulatory and operational ecosystem.

Cutting Wait Times, Not Corners

Dubai’s success story extends beyond futuristic vehicles into everyday efficiency. Through Hala Taxi, developed with Careem, average taxi waiting times have dropped dramatically:

• Earlier: ~25 minutes

• Now: ~3 minutes

This operational efficiency has been driven by data integration, private-sector participation and real-time monitoring - not just hardware upgrades.

The Real Secret: Decision-Making, Not Technology

In a candid observation, Al Tayer noted:

“The secret of Dubai’s success is decision-making, not technology.”

Dubai has invested Dh1.6 billion in a dedicated transport control centre and approved 500 Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) projects, aiming to connect:

• 60% of transport centres

• Traffic signals city-wide within five years

This enables real-time traffic management, faster emergency response and safer roads.

Numbers That Define the Transformation

• Infrastructure investment (20 years): Dh175 billion

• Traffic accident rate: Reduced from 22 to 1.8 per 100,000 population

• Luxury cars registered: 170,000+

• Value of special number plates: Dh1.7 billion

These figures underline why Dubai continues to be viewed as both a sandbox for innovation and a stable, execution-driven global hub.

Sandbox First, Regulation Next

Dubai’s innovation model follows a disciplined sequence:

1. Pilot and experimentation

2. Regulatory alignment

3. Operational readiness

4. Safety validation

5. Measurable results

This structured approach explains why global mobility leaders repeatedly choose Dubai as their launchpad.