Flying CARS will hit skies next year as holiday hotspot signs huge deal with 198mph airborne taxi firm
FLYING cars from the future could soon become a reality with modern taxis cruising through the air at high speeds.
A California-based company called Joby Aviation has signed a deal with Dubai to host commercial flying taxis as soon as 2025.
Incredible plans have been revealed for the flying taxis that could carry tourists around the city – much like the present-day cab service.
Footage shows what the luxurious journey in these flying cars could be like – with passengers waiting to catch their flights at what the company calls “vertiports”.
Customers would be able to book a trip through Joby’s flying taxi app and purchase tickets on smartphones before the departure.
Joby’s flying taxi is essentially an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft which can take off and land vertically without the need for a long runway.
The craft is designed to carry up to four passengers and a pilot – and cruise at speeds of up to 198mph.
We’re looking forward to delivering an incredible experience for residents and visitors to Dubai as early as 2025 and we’re excited to be laying the groundwork for the expansion of our service across the wider UAE
JoeBen Bevirt
At such a dramatic speed, a taxi flight from Dubai Airport to Palm Jumeirah, one of the world’s biggest tourist hubs, would take just 10 minutes.
It will be powered by six electric motors and will have a range of 100 miles before it runs out of charge.
Joby has signed a deal with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch air taxi services there by early 2026, with the company aiming to start early operations as soon as next year.
JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation said: “It is an honour to partner with the government of Dubai to demonstrate the value of sustainable air travel to the world.
“We’re looking forward to delivering an incredible experience for residents and visitors to Dubai as early as 2025 and we’re excited to be laying the groundwork for the expansion of our service across the wider UAE.”
Joby started testing its ambitious craft in October last year – and has signed a deal with London-based delivery company Skysports which will build and operate four “vertiports” across the city.
It is understood that these ports will be built at the Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Dubai Downtown.
A Joby spokesperson told MailOnline that the company is working to make the taxi rides “as accessible as possible” – and will be considerably cheaper than private helicopter rides.