Joby, RAKTA and Skyports Partner to Launch Air Taxi Service in Ras Al Khaimah by 2027

(Ras Al Khaimah, UAE) Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE: JOBY), The Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) and Skyports Infrastructure announced this morning (Sept. 29) a long-term collaboration to launch a passenger air taxi service network in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) by 2027.

Rendering of a Joby electric air taxi flying over Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) courtesy of Joby Aviation.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the companies was signed in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, according to today’s press release from Joby.

The partnership will bring together the direct support of RAKTA, Skyports’ leadership in developing vertiport infrastructure, and Joby’s all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, to design, develop and operate the first air taxi service in RAK, per Joby.

“This partnership reflects Ras Al Khaimah’s strategic vision to shape the future of mobility by integrating advanced transport solutions within its urban and tourism ecosystem,” said H.E Esmaeel Hasan Alblooshi, RAKTA Director General. “This step is an extension of Ras Al Khaimah’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2030, which focuses on innovation, sustainability, and the integration of transport modes. 

Joby Founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt said: “Our work to deploy an air taxi service in the UAE is becoming a model for how advanced air mobility can reshape transportation systems globally,. By bringing together the aircraft, the infrastructure and the regulator from day one, we are creating a clearly defined path to accelerate the launch of commercial air taxi service. We look forward to bringing this new route to life with our partners RAKTA and Skyports, and continue to build on the foundation we’ve laid across the UAE.”

In addition to an air taxi service network within RAK, the Joby-RAKTA-Skyports partnership will establish an inter-emirate corridor, connecting Joby’s planned service in Dubai to landmark hospitality developments in RAK. RAK includes Al Marjan Island, where the new Wynn Al Marjan is set to open in 2027, and Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest peak, per Joby.

Al Marjan Island is centrally located to multi-modal ground transportation and will be the site of the first vertiport within the RAK network, with additional vertiport locations following as part of a phased development approach.

The resulting air taxi network will reduce travel times for flyers – for instance, while it could take more than an hour to drive from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Al Marjan Island, the journey will take less than 15 minutes in Joby’s air taxi, when flying a direct path at its top speed of 321 kph (200 mph), according to Joby.

Skyports CEO Duncan Walker said: Duncan Walker, CEO, Skyports, said: “Following our MoU with RAKTA in May 2024 to establish the foundations for a vertiport network in RAK, we’re excited to see the project move to the next tangible phase of development with Joby as the aircraft OEM and service launch partner. With the strong progress Skyports is currently making on our Dubai Vertiport Network partnered with Joby as the air taxi service operator, together we are best placed to deliver air taxi services to RAK by 2027.”