RAK Ruler witnesses landmark Air Taxi agreement

September 29, 2025 / 1:54 PM

Sharjah24 - WAM: His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, witnessed the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA), US-based Joby Aviation, and UK-based Skyports Infrastructure to launch the first air taxi service in Ras Al Khaimah by 2027.

Signing ceremony at Saqr bin Mohamed city

The ceremony took place at Sheikh Saud’s palace in Saqr bin Mohamed City, where he received JoeBen Bevirt, CEO and founder of Joby Aviation, and Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports. The event also included the signing of the MoU in the presence of Eng. Esmaeel Hassan Alblooshi, Director-General of RAKTA and Acting Director-General of the Department of Civil Aviation, along with several senior officials.

UAE’s vision for the future of mobility

His Highness Sheikh Saud affirmed that this milestone reflects the UAE’s vision for shaping the future through innovative and sustainable mobility solutions. He highlighted that the project is an investment in enhancing people’s quality of life while further strengthening Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a global destination for living, working, tourism, and investment.

A transformative leap for generations

Sheikh Saud stressed that the initiative represents a transformative leap, bridging the emirate’s ambitious present with its bright future, and turning aspirations into achievements that will endure for generations.

Partnership roles and contributions

The partnership brings together the direct support of RAKTA in implementing the project, Skyports’ expertise in designing and developing vertiport infrastructure, and Joby Aviation’s fully electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. By combining these strengths, the three parties will work jointly to design, develop, and operate the first-ever air taxi service in Ras Al Khaimah.

Aligned with RAK 2030 mobility master plan

The initiative supports RAK’s 2030 Mobility Master Plan by addressing the growing demand for fast and convenient transport. Beyond intra-emirate travel, the network will establish an inter-emirate corridor, linking Joby’s planned Dubai service to RAK’s landmark hospitality destinations.

Faster, cleaner, and smarter travel

For passengers, the air taxi service promises to dramatically cut travel times. For instance, the journey from Dubai International Airport to Al Marjan Island, which typically exceeds an hour by car, could take less than 15 minutes via Joby’s air taxi traveling at a top speed of 321 km/h (200 mph).

Joby’s aircraft is designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers, offering minimal noise, zero operating emissions, and a new era of fast, quiet, and convenient air mobility across the UAE.